UFC Quick Quote: Jon Jones and John McCarthy 'begged' ringside doctor not to stop Alexander Gustafsson fight

"[Jon Jones] has got an incredible chin and he has unorthodox striking. I know Gustafsson's hurting right now, but his stock is way up right now, too.... Jones had a huge cut on his face. The doctors were going to stop the fight before the fifth round, but Jon and McCarthy both begged them to not stop the fight."

-- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White revealed last night (Sat., Sept. 21, 2013) during UFC 165 post-fight show on FOX Sports 2 that the main event was precariously close to being called between the fourth and fifth rounds. In fact, "Bones" and the referee, "Big" John McCarthy, had to plead with the ringside physician to allow the Light Heavyweight champion to go one more round with Alexander Gustafsson at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Jones sustained the cut in the opening frame and "The Mauler" continued to damage it for 15 more minutes as it swelled shut and more than likely impaired his vision. Jones ultimately went on to score a close unanimous decision (watch video highlights here), but it was so tight that White is already hopeful that he can put together an immediate rematch for early 2014. Gustafsson, for one, is "down." That's because he, for all intents and purposes, exposed that Jones is vulnerable and can be beat. And it doesn't have to be because of an "injury" like the one he suffered last night or the one to his toe that could have handed Chael Sonnen an inexplicable victory back at UFC 159 (more details here). Close calls Jon Jones, CLOSE CALLS.

For more on "Jones vs. Gustafsson" click here, and for complete UFC 165 results and blow-by-blow coverage of all the night's action click here.