MMA Nation - UFC 135: Jon Jones Proves Something

Jon Jones' Next Fight: What (And Who) Is In Line For The Light Heavyweight Champion?

2011-09-27T18:47:35Z

It's been more than 48 hours since our most recent Jon Jones exposure. We've basked in his glorious glow and let the "Bones" burn slowly settle in the wake of his sensational submission win over Quinton Jackson at UFC 135.

Now what?

Well, we didn't have to wait very long to find out who he would fight next. Rashad Evans was anointed the 205-pound contender the moment he stopped Tito Ortiz via technical knockout at UFC 133 back in early August. And we were reminded about the match up between the former friends, as well as their now heated rivalry, literally minutes after Jones squeezed Rampage into submission in Denver.

Even still, UFC President Dana White had to field several questions about Jones, his future and what fight fans can expect in terms of credible opposition moving forward. That's hardly a normal tack and/or line of questioning most media take after a champion's very first title defense, especially considering the revolving door atop the competitive light heavyweight division since 2007.

But Jones, 24, is far from normal. He's exceptionally abnormal, really, a fighter so very young and so remarkably gifted that fantasy matchmakers are already demanding a superfight with his 185-pound clone, UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.

White squashed that possibility, at least in the near term, rather swiftly at the UFC 135 press conference. That's because there are several viable contenders already in the 205-pound pipeline queued up to get their crack at the talented phenom.

Here they are, in likely order of availability:

Rashad Evans: "Suga" claims that he has Jones' number. The pair used to train together at Team Jackson-Winkeljohn in Albuquerque, N.M., prior to Jones winning the division title. He actually replaced an injured Evans and defeated Mauricio Rua to win the strap earlier this year, which ultimately killed their "friendship" and sent Evans to Florida in search of a more practical training environment under the awkward circumstances. Evans has a very strong wrestling base and the speed necessary to keep up with Jones. He also has the benefit of familiarity, training with Jones extensively prior to their dust up. By the same token, Jones, too, shares that advantage. However, if the key to beating Jones is indeed taking him down, putting him on his back and beating him up, which is what Evans claims he was able to do in training, then he certainly has a better chance than most to score an upset.
Dan Henderson-Mauricio Rua winner: If this is the next 205-pound eliminator match, then no one assured Henderson. Nonetheless, it makes perfect sense: If Henderson, the incumbent Strikeforce light heavyweight champion who was recently lured back to the UFC, is able to register a big win upon his return over the former champion, it would set up a fight between two fighters with a nearly 20-year difference in age. On the other hand, a win for Shogun sets the table for a rematch, providing the Brazilian with the opportunity to reclaim his title, avenge a terrible loss and prove that he was not himself in their initial encounter. Either way, the promotion has a lot of material with which to work and market a big-ticket pay-per-view (PPV) main event. We'll find out a direction soon enough: Henderson and Shogun are set to headline UFC 139, which is scheduled for the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., on Nov. 19, 2011, in a five-round, non-title fight.
Lyoto Machida-Phil Davis winner: Let's be clear: This fight isn't set. In fact, there is a possibility that it may never happen. But, it should. These two are on the outside looking in, dark horses of the division, if you will. Machida, a former champion, was in Jones' position not too long ago: A dominant fighter with seemingly no holes in his game. Shogun Rua, however, found one, as well as Jackson. After the back-to-back losses, "The Dragon" got back in the win column with a crushing finish of Randy Couture in his most recent appearance. Handing "Mr. Wonderful" his first career loss would go a long way toward getting back in title hunt. Davis, meanwhile, had his opportunity to breakthrough with a win over Evans until an injury forced him off the card (Ortiz stepped up on short notice and lost). He has incredible wrestling, better than Evans, but is still incredibly raw. With a stepping stone like Machida on his hit list, along with another year to hone his skills, Davis could make a match up with Jones very intriguing in about a year or more from now. Both of these guys, even if they are booked to battle, will likely have to take another fight to keep busy before earning a championship berth.

Clearly, there are several warm options for Jones already served on the light heavyweight table.

Silva, the sexy pick, could certainly work his way into the mix a few months from now if he continues to ravage the 185-pound class. "The Spider" is also maybe three fights away from calling it quits on his illustrious career, meaning the promotion might consider making the match before it disappears forever.

Short of that, Jones will be busy, at the very least, for the next 12 months. He's got the fight with Evans already lined up, which will likely take place sometime in the first quarter of 2012, and then the showdown with the winner
of Henderson-Shogun.

If he's still champion, of course.

Remembering Matt Hughes: The Best Fighter Of His Generation May Have Called It Quits

2011-09-27T12:30:47Z

I first met Matt Hughes in 2007. He had already established himself as a legend - I was just getting started writing professionally about the mixed martial arts. Hughes was a hero of mine. Not only did I love his aggressive wrestling, but we came from the same area of rural Illinois. It was a bond, if only in my mind.

That wasn't what made Hughes my top get as I carved out a plan to interview all the top names in the sport for my book Total MMA. As intriguing as Hughes was in the cage, as enraptured as I was by his fighting style and take no prisoners approach, there was something else that caught my attention, that drove me to call in every favor I'd ever earned to get 30 minutes with Hughes.

In the midst of his second season coaching The Ultimate Fighter, Hughes had compared himself to Esther. You get used to athletes and their egos. And don't get it twisted; despite their reputations as regular joes, it takes a colossal ego to step into the cage, betting your short and long term health that you are a better man than the guy you're locking eyeballs with. But comparing yourself to a figure out of the Bible? A queen and heroine at that? It took brass balls and made me pretty sure there was more to Hughes than met the eye.

Talking to him that day, I was struck by his Christian faith. He told me about a trip to Mexico where he found God. But religion hadn't changed Hughes completely. The swaggering jock was just below the surface. When I asked him if he thought Jesus would approve of cage fighting, there was a pause on the line. "That's a stupid question," Hughes said. "You know I punch people in the face for a living. What do you think I believe?"

Hughes is unflinchingly honest, both about himself and others. It's so unusual that it puts you off guard. Most people hold back, if only out of respect for social niceties. Matt Hughes is missing that piece of the personality puzzle. His thoughts are never far from the surface, and as the toughest guy in most rooms, he isn't afraid to share them. He's so honest that many readers thought he came off as the villain in his own autobiography. Matt Hughes is not about spin; in a culture that spins even the most basic sciences, that's sometimes a problem. Like when your boss decides he doesn't like you that much.

"I thought he was a d*ck," UFC President Dana White once told me about his earliest impression of the fighter he now calls a close friend. White wasn't alone. Hughes rubs a lot of people the wrong way.

"Matt likes to push buttons," long time friend and trainer Pat Miletich said. "He's a great guy and we get along great. But he's not afraid to mess with people a little."

There will never be another Matt Hughes. The UFC's most dominant welterweight was perhaps the last world champion to ever begin the sport of mixed martial arts as a hobby. There was no glamor or glitz when Hughes stepped off the farm and into the cage. No money to speak of. Just tough guys who liked to fight - and nobody was tougher than Matt Hughes.

They say you can sniff out the special ones right away. That was certainly true of Hughes. "I refereed his first fight," Miletich said. "I told him that night, if you ever want to come down to Iowa and train with me, I think I can make you a world champion."

What impressed me most was his metamorphosis in the cage. Early Hughes might as well have been a 170 pound Mark Coleman or Dan Severn. He focused like a lazer on the takedown, then did whatever he could to pound the guy in the face until he quit.

"Matt was just so strong," Miletich remembers. "I had never had an issue with anyone my size. I had fought heavyweights and never had a problem. But Matt was a monster. He didn't know how to fight in the beginning, but he was almost impossible to stop as a wrestler."

Against submission wizard Dennis Hallman, Hughes learned brute force wasn't always an option. The resulting growth was something special to behold. In 1998 he was clueless against Hallman's guillotine choke. By 2006 his jiu jitsu was slick enough that he schooled the legendary Royce Gracie himself on the mat. Most amazingly, Hughes spent much of his career as a part time fighter. He would show up for what most in the sport would consider a short training camp, then proceed to decimate an opponent who had trained four times as long.

If Matt Hughes never fights again, he leaves behind a legacy unparalleled in his weight class. He didn't just defend the title five times in a row (a record since surpassed by Georges St. Pierre). He did it at a time when the UFC's place in the sport was less clear. There was significant debate about whether UFC heavyweights and light heavyweights compared to their Japanese counterparts. Hughes made sure that argument never extended to welterweight, smashing Frank Trigg and Shooto's Hayato Sakurai.

Unfortunately, much of Hughes's success came before the sports rise to new heights. Since his appearance as a coach on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter, Hughes has compiled just a 7-5 record. He was past his prime as the sport catapulted into the mainstream. He was still a star, but as a springboard for St. Pierre and others. His best days were gone.

Matt Hughes, for those who never got to see him, was the best fighter of his generation. He's been surpassed by Georges St. Pierre, as all great athletes are eventually replaced by younger counterparts. That can never alter his legacy or change the past. Hughes was a freight train, steamrolling everyone in his path. His ability to snatch an opponent into the air and carry them across the cage, looking for the right spot to smash them to the mat, was a wonder to behold. There will never be another Matt Hughes - and the sport won't be the same without him.

Jon Jones Outclasses Rampage Jackson At UFC 135

2011-09-26T17:15:20Z

After what felt like months of pre-fight banter and hype, the two champions, former UFC kingpin Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and current champ Jon Jones finally entered the Octagon. Jon Jones, as always, was the center of attention. "Is he truly the future and the present?" play by play announcer Mike Goldberg asked. "We've never had a fighter after only three years of mixed martial arts, who not only dominates the competition but becomes the youngest champion in the history of the sport. He's so ultra talented, he's so unusual in his movements, he's so unique," color commentator Joe Rogan responds, searching for the right words to explain the Jones phenomenon. It's a telling exchange, if only to demonstrate the weight riding on the shoulders of the 24 year old champion.

There's legitimate curiosity surrounding this bout. Jones is the prohibitive favorite at the sports book, but Rampage seems bound to test him in ways he's never been tested before. Rogan is clearly excited to see how Jones responds to adversity. "He's never been tested, never been hit, never been put on his back," Rogan explains.

Rampage wins the earliest battle, the entrance music showdown, coming out to Memphis based Project Pat's "I Ain't Going Back to Jail." Jones, for his walkout, chooses "Coming Home," a P Diddy song that has probably never been played by anyone under 35. It's corporate, safe, seemingly disconnected from his own life - unlike Rampage who went with a hometown favorite. Sometimes it's the little things that say so much.

The fight is sponsored by Dodge, Bud Light, and Gears of War 3. Rampage is repping Muscle Pharm and MMA Elite. Jones is backed by MicroTech, Form Athletics, and Xyience. Before the bout, Bruce Buffer attempts his usual histrionic introduction of the athletes. Unfortunately, he's lost his voice over the course of the evening and it doesn't have the same impact his over the top displays usually have.

Round 1

5:00-4:00: If fights were won and lost at the staredown, it would be all over for Jones. Rampage is mean mugging something fierce and Jones refuses to make eye contact at all. At this point I don't think that's meaningful. Jones just doesn't like wasting mental energy on anything but the fight. He's not scared - he's just not interested.

Jones starts out the fight in a three point stance of sorts, crawling around the ring like an insect. Rampage isn't flustered in the least, immediately throwing a jab at his downed opponent. It's a bizarre beginning, and obviously throws Rogan for a loop. "What is this?" the comedian asks incredulously. Jones shows there is a method to his madness right away when he shoots for a single. Rampage sprawls and easily avoids it, but Jones now has him in the clinch. Pretty clever way for the fox to get in the hen house.

Jones pushes Rampage up against the cage and delivers two pretty solid knees to the thigh. At 4:20, Jones lands one to the cup, but referee Josh Rosenthal, not typically considered a main event official, misses it entirely, perhaps because he's nowhere near the action. Rampage complains, but to no avail. Jones continues to deliver knees in the meantime. As the first minute ends, Rampage is able to reverse positions, pushing Jones into the fence.

4:00-3:00: The champion immediately shows why he's so dangerous though, grabbing a front facelock and threatening for a choke. His arms are so long, he can end a fight by guillotine in just seconds."He's got his neck," Goldberg exclaims. "Rampage has to be very careful here, because Jon Jones has some spectacular chokes," Rogan adds with typical Joe Rogan timing. As luck would have it, Rampage escapes while Rogan is explaining the danger he is in.

With Rampage pushed back against the cage, Jones unloads with a hard left elbow. Rampage was busy securing double underhooks, trying to avoid the throw, leaving himself open. It's another problem inherent in fighting Jones. He has so many weapons that require your attention, it's hard to defend them all. Jones continues throwing knees and adds a foot stomp to boot. Many of Jones's knees are borderline low and Rampage again asks the referee to investigate. Jones stays busy, trying to set up what appears to be an Ashi Gurama, a judo leg wheel, but Rampage defends by pushing his butt into the cage.

3:00-2:00: Jones finally disengages, kind of a surprising move, but there is sometimes a benefit in resetting and trying again. Rampage was in a purely defensive mode and Jones just wasn't able to do much. Jones keeps the distance with front kicks, to the leg and body. Rampage searches for an opening, but it just doesn't appear. At 2:42 Jones unleashes a high kick. It didn't bring back memories of the great Peter Aerts, but it had some zip to it. Jones follows immediately with a left front kick, leaving Rampage in what feels like a continuous attempt to defend.

"Rampage wants to get inside and fight in a phone booth," Goldberg says. Jones is having none of it though, circling constantly and throwing kicks before Rampage can even think about attacking. "Rampage is having even more trouble with his reach, because he has a boxing centered attack," Rogan says. "He uses his arms more while Jon Jones uses a lot of kicks."

Rampage stalks Jones, eventually backing him into the cage. Feeling cornered, the champion fakes a shot and is able once again to get the fight to the clinch. Jones pretends to back the challenger into the cage, suddenly switching gears and attempting to toss him to the mat. Rampage is able to keep his balance, and the two get back at it.

2:00-1:00: Jackson closes the distance behind some elaborate head movement, but by the time he lets his hands go, Jones is already gone, circling back to the center of the cage. Jones throws another headkick, but this one was a lone ranger, set up by nothing, and Jackson easily avoids it. Jones backs away and goes back to the front kicks, landing one to the knee, a dangerous shot, especially when your opponent has his weight on the targeted leg. "Nice kick to the knee there," Rogan says.

At 1:42 Jones goes high again. He's eschewed his hands entirely thus far, throwing just a jab or two, focusing instead on kicks and knees. "This is a Muay Thai attack by Jones," Goldberg says. As if on cue, Jones lands a legkick that nearly spins Jackson all the way around. Suddenly, just when his opponent's guard is down, looking for kicks, Jones sneaks in a straight left to the nose. Then it's right back to the kicks, throwing a front kick and landing a legkick to Jackson's inner left thigh. Another shot to the knee, and we're looking at a rout. "I like that on the knee," Goldberg says.

Jones inexplicably leaps into the air. He doesn't throw a karate kick or a knee, but he certainly has Rampage on his toes. It's the champion's first misstep as Jackson quickly closes the distance and lands a short left as Jones is getting his feet back under him. That could have been much worse, an Andre Arlovski moment, but Jones is lucky enough to avoid a hard shot. It's his first moment of indiscipline, a moment that will bolster the spirits of future opponents. Jones is human after all.

1:00-0:00: Jones, the scare behind him, pushes Rampage back into the cage. He controls Jackson's left arm and goes right back to his knees to the leg. These aren't fight enders, but their cumulative affect over time is unquestionable. With both hands tied up, Jones resorts to throwing a shoulder at Jackson. "It's so hard to tell what he's setting up for," Rogan says, succinctly putting in words the issue facing every coach and fighter gameplanning for the young champion. With 37 seconds left, Jones unleashes his patented spinning elbow. Rampage knows it's coming -anyone fighting Jones has to be looking for it - but it happens so quickly he's still able to land.

Rampage has the presence of mind to act unbothered. Or maybe he's super human? Either way, he comes moseying right out of the corner like nothing happened. Jones meets him with a front kick while Jackson misses a lunging jab. Jones gets aggressive to end the round, throwing another fast head kick and a spinning wheel kick that Rampage is able to duck under. Jones immediately tries to follow with a leg trip. He's often credited for his Greco Roman throws, but this looks like an Ouchi Gari, a straight up judo trip. Rampage tries to seize the moment, throwing a four punch combination, each blow missing badly. Dominant round for Jones. He didn't do enough damage to justify a 10-8 score, but Rampage looked completely helpless.

Round 2

5:00-4:00: "That was an amazing round," coach Greg Jackson tells Jones during the one minute rest period. Except for the bizarre leap into the air, it was flawless. The corners are a study in contrasts. While Jones and Jackson work on breathing techniques to calm the champion, Rampage is being yelled at by his coaches to "find your range. It's simple."

"That's easier said than done," Rogan says, speaking for everyone who saw the first round. Rampage takes the center of the Octagon, but Jones is able to circle away. Jones goes right to the high kick. It's not really scoring for him, but it is keeping Rampage off balance. You have to defend it, and it's fast enough that Jones is able to avoid any potential counter.

Rampage finally finds his distance, landing a couple of punches. Notably it didn't happen with a carefully timed counter or behind a piston like jab. It took a reckless charge into danger. It's perhaps the only way to fight Jones - rolling the dice on catching him before he catches you. "He wants to make it dirty. He wants to beat him up a little bit and test him," Goldberg says.

Jackson's advantage is short lived. Jones clinches, pushes him into the cage, and goes right back to throwing knees. At 4:27 Jones throws another spinning elbow, but this one is slow, allowing Jackson to easily duck under it. Jackson thinks about a double leg takedown. It was right there, but his heart wasn't in it. Jones almost immediately secures Quinton's neck. He's so dangerous here. It's an added wrinkle to worry about.

Jones looks for a takedown, but Jackson is able to defend easily. After Jackson misses a right hand, Jones scores again with a kick to the knee, then a sidekick to the thigh. Jackson lands a leg kick of his own, causing Rogan to gush with praise. "That's something I've been wanting to see from Quinton for years...he's a very powerful kicker."

4:00-3:00: Jones lands a straight left as Jackson continues to stalk him. Jones misses a kick to the body and Jackson comes very close to countering one of his kicks to the knee. Jackson, despite his corners pleas, just can't seem to get a bead on Jones. As he moves forward, Jones moves away, almost like a dance. "Chase him down," Rampage's corner yells. He's trying, but Jones is just a step faster.

3:00-2:00: The announcers point out Mike Winkeljohn's role in creating Jones's striking game. Winkeljohn and Greg Jackson are actually partners in their MMA gym, but Winkeljohn has remained in the shadows while Jackson has become the public face of the enterprise. Winkeljohn is, slowly, stepping into the limelight. "Rampage is waiting on Jon Jones," Rogan says. "He's been tagged so many times now, he's freezing and waiting for Jon to move first."

Rogan is right on point. At 2:30, Jones misses a punch. Jackson is in the perfect position to counter with a right hand, but can't quite pull the trigger.

2:00-1:00: Rampage is stalking, but rarely throwing. Jones lands a leg kick, and the challenger just continues his passive "attack." Jackson finally throws a one-two combination, but misses with both, while Jones cleverly lands a legkick. Finally, at 1:47, Rampage lands a crisp jab. It's nothing to write home about, but in this fight it's one of Jackson's best moments. Of course, Jones lands a leg kick at the same time, throwing Quinton off balance. In this fight though, that counts as a Rampage win.

Jones comes back with a spinning back kick and a quick jab. I wonder where this jab has been. It's crisp and clean and potentially a very dangerous weapon down the road. At this point it's an afterthought, but the future continues to look brighter and brighter for Jones. The champion throws a sidekick that sends his opponent sailing backwards. If you look at the picture, the distance Jones has on his challenger is remarkable. How is Rampage possibly supposed to hit someone who can strike him from halfway across the cage?

"Some wondered if Jones would stand and trade with Rampage," Goldberg says. "The answer is a definitive yes. But he's doing it on his terms Joe." Jones lands another jab, switching to the orthodox stance to do it, but Jackson is able to counter with a left hook. This is where things can get hinky for Jones, and he wisely retreats.

1:00-0:00: Jones opens a page from Anderson Silva's book, finally bringing that front kick he's used over and over again to the body and legs up to the head. Jackson avoids it easily, but the idea was a good one. "Rampage has got to bumrush Jon Jones," Rogan says. "He cannot stay here on the outside and let Jon Jones pick him apart...When was the last time you saw Rampage this tentative?"

"Maybe never," Goldberg responds. Jones continues his assault, throwing two lead lefts and a jab. Jackson continues to move forward, but not with a purpose. "I just think he's being mesmerized by this kid's talent," Rogan says. The round ends with Jones leaping to guard and looking for a triangle attempt. Time runs out before the choke could be secured, but it sure looks like he had something. Jones, it's worth pointing out again, looks amazing. "Who the hell would have expected that?" Rogan asks as the round comes to a close.

Round 3

5:00-4:00: The round opens with Rampage throwing a leg kick, but Jones comes within a millisecond of catching it. He's quick to return fire, grabbing Jackson up and looking for the guillotine. He looks for a trip from that position, but Rampage keeps his balance and answers with a huge windmill punch that missed wildly but looked scary. "That's where Rampage has a chance," Rogan explains. "It may come down to the homerun for Rampage," Goldberg adds.

Jones quickly reestablishes control with kicks to both the head and leg, but Jackson is throwing kicks of his own. A solid one to the inner left thigh gives Jones pause and Jackson is able to follow up with a left to the head and a right to the body. It's his first sustained offense of the fight. Jones refuses to cede control of the Octagon however, coming right back with a leg kick of his own and taking the center.

4:00-3:00: Jones seems momentarily confused, throwing jabs from both orthodox and southpaw and generally just wasting time. Soon he's right back at it, landing a jab, a stomp to the knee, and a solid leg kick in rapid succession. At 3:44, Jones ducks under for a single leg, perhaps his first traditional wrestling takedown since the opening of the first round. He switches to the double at puts Rampage down for the first time in the fight.

Jones moves instantly into side control. "He has vicious elbows," Goldberg says. It's true. After just 10 seconds on the mat, Jones has taken the mount. Jackson is so busy defending against potential elbows, he never saw it coming. Rampage is holding on for dear life, wrapping both arms around Jones's midsection and burying his head in his opponent's chest. It's a defense that worked well years ago for Frank Shamrock against Enson Inoue in Japan, but it saps your energy quickly.

"Here comes the vicious elbows," Rogan says, as Jones pushes Rampage up against the fence. Jackson continues to defend smartly, controlling the champion's wrists when he can and covering up when he can't.

3:00-2:00: "Rampage has got to hip escape," Rogan exclaims. Perhaps Jackson was listening, as he essentially pulls off a sit up, propelling not just his body, but Jones's 220 pounds as well. In the blink of an eye, Jackson is on his feet, but Jones has him in a front facelock. Jones goes right back on the attack as if nothing has happened, throwing a mean looking heel to Jackson's leg. Jones steps back, misses with an elbow, and the two are back at distance, Rampage continuing his lonely pursuit of Jones.

Jones sticks out his fingers and puts them in Rampage's face. It's a dangerous situation - an eye poke seems imminent and Jackson is thrown for a loop, complaining to the referee at 2:36. "Rampage is bleeding Joe," Goldberg finally has the time to point out. "That's from that elbow on the ground." Things settle down and Jones comes hard with a kick to Rampage's body. Jones also lands the front kick to the face, snapping Jackson's head back and delighting the crowd. For his part, Jackson seems impervious to punishment, calmly taking the kick and moving ever forward. Perhaps out of desperation, Jackson is finally letting his hands go, but Jones remains elusive.

2:00-1:00: Jones is back on the attack, leading with a straight right, following with a left, and finally landing the front kick to the knee just the way he wants to, causing Rampage's knee to buckle. It's these kicks that show Jones's mean streak so clearly. They aren't seen that often in MMA, but Jones uses them regularly and to great effect. "Nice kick to the knee," Rogan says. "Rampage looked up to the clock after that one Joe," Goldberg says, suggesting the challenger is wearing down.

Someone forgot to tell Rampage. When Jones misses with an elbow, Rampage leaps after the champion, countering with a right that would have ended the fight if it landed. Jackson keeps coming, missing with two more hard shots as Jones scampers away. It was another mistake - a rare thing in this fight - but Jackson is clearly still waiting for the right times to strike.

Jones, to his credit, comes right back at Jackson, scoring with a leg kick and a jab. "If you watch Jon Jones's first fight in the UFC and compare his striking now, it is amazing. It is amazing that its only been a few years...this is like ten years of development. More," Rogan says.

1:00-0:00: Jones leaps in the air for a flying knee as Goldberg talks about designing the perfect fighter on your computer. "Jon Jones is Anderson Silva like in his striking," Goldberg continues. Slow down. Jones ends the round by shooting a double, then letting Jackson plop to the mat when the bell rings. "Wow, that was a huge diss," Rogan says, as Jones casually struts back to his corner.

Round 4

5:00-4:00: Nothing has changed in Rampage's corner. "You must get in range," they yell. That's a step ahead of saying things like "knock him out." But not much of one. How about proposing a strategy to get in range? Rampage is getting nothing of value. Jackson is bleeding significantly and looks exhausted while Jones is jumping up and down, raring to go. It's nice to be 24 years old.

Action pauses momentarily as officials remove excess Vaseline from Jackson's right eye. When they resume fighting, it's like we never missed a beat. Jackson is stalking, Jones getting off first, landing a lefty hook that backs Jackson into the cage. Jones slips when throwing a high kick - his one mistake a round. Jackson is too slow to follow up on it and Jones springs back to his feet.

The two battle in the clinch, with Jones pushing Rampage back towards the cage and eventually grabbing a front facelock. He finally gets the inside trip he's been looking for throughout the fight, but loses control of Jackson's head.

Jackson is pushed up against the cage in a sitting position. Jones lands an elbow, then takes advantage of the circumstances to throw a brutal knee to the sternum right in front of Dana White and Frank Fertitta. The blow prompts Jackson to try to escape, allowing Jones to take his back.

4:00-3:00: This is what is great about mixed martial arts. There is no disgrace in giving in to an opponent. Roberto Duran's 'No Mas' will never be forgotten. In this fight, Jackson can turn his back on his opponent, give up the choke, and never hear a bad word because of it. Jackson is able to fend off the choke momentarily with solid hand fighting, but in the end Jones is just too persistent. For the first time in his UFC career, Jackson is finished in a fight, losing by rear naked choke at 3:36 of the fourth round.

What an incredible performance by Jon Jones. He controlled almost every moment of a fight that lasted more than 16 minutes. It was masterful. And, amazingly enough, Jones is clearly still a work in progress. His jab is a weapon he is just learning to use and his submissions are clearly developing nicely. The best fighter in the world is getting better every day. That's a thought to give opponent's pause going into 2012 and beyond.

UFC 135 Results, UFC On Versus 6 Preview On 106.7 The Fan's MMA Nation

2011-09-25T19:47:30Z

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UFC 135 Results: Jon Jones Reigns Over Rampage, Koscheck Finishes Hughes, More

2011-09-25T16:18:29Z

Now that UFC 135 is in the history books, we can safely say that Jon Jones is the present as well as the future of the light heavyweight division. We can also say that Matt Hughes' spectacular Octagon career has run its course, heavyweights struggle for breath after 3 hard rounds at high altitudes and Nate Diaz flat-out mugged Takanori Gomi Stockton-style.

Let's break down the action:

Only one of the undercard fights got the bump to the pay-per-view card: Takeya Mizugaki's utter dismantling of the gritty Cole Escovedo. Mizugaki wanted to avoid Escovedo's dangerous submission game and fought hard to keep the fight on the feet. Escovedo was game, but eventually the barrage of hooks and uppercuts on the inside were too much and he fell to the ground where Mizugaki finished him.

Jon Jones Is The Best Fighter In The World

Nate Diaz proved that Takanori Gomi's day at or near the top of the lightweight division is done. Gomi, once the most feared puncher in the division got out-struck 44 to 8 according to CompuStrike. The power strike ratio was even more one-sided at 28-3. Once Gomi was hurt, Diaz' Jiu-Jitsu quickly put a finish to the Fireball Kid.
Travis Browne had to be happy his bout with Rob Broughton wasn't a five rounder. The Hawaiian heavyweight battered the Brit around the cage for 2.5 rounds but by the second half of the final round both men were coasting on fumes. Still, Browne's next bout will likely be at a lower altitude and the rest of the division should be warned a hard-hitter is coming their way.

Heaving Heavyweights Battle Fatigue As Much As Their Opponents

Mark Hunt continued the unlikeliest come back story of the season by putting a beating on Ben Rothwell. Rothwell was expected to take advantage of Hunt's limitations on the ground, but the Samoan proved that he's no longer helpless on the ground. Hunt is lean and mean and looks like trouble for the rest of the division.
What is there left to say about UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones? He proved once again that he can dismantle the top 205 pounders in the world like he was beating up high school kids for their lunch money. Rampage Jackson had no answer for Jones' range, his array of creative strikes or his wrestling acumen. In the end it was Jones' assiduous study of the game that finished Jackson as he unveiled some excellent Jiu-Jitsu to get the submission in the fourth round.

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VIDEO UFC 135 Highlights: Jon Jones Vs. Rampage Jackson

2011-09-25T15:26:38Z

UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones utterly dominated Quinton Jackson before submitting him with a rear naked choke in the fourth round. According to CompuStrike Jones outlanded Jackson 66 to 23 in total strikes. Jones landed 48 leg strikes as well. Watch closely in the video, you may be able to see the kick where Jones reportedly broke his foot.

Jones total number of strikes thrown was 117, landing 66 for a 56% accuracy rating. Poor Rampage meanwhile only landed 10/37 standing arm strikes for an accuracy rate of 27%.

Jones emptied a kitchen sink of assaults on Jackson, connecting with a variety of punches -- jabs, hooks, overhands, uppercuts -- as well as elbows, knees, kicks of various types -- front kicks, round kicks, head kicks, body kicks -- and he made sure to throw in plenty of his trademark standing strikes.

Frankly Jones made Jackson look like a mouse locked in a cage with a snake.

Watch for yourself.

UFC 135 Results: Heaving Heavyweights Battle Fatigue As Much As Their Opponents

2011-09-25T12:01:39Z

I spent two weeks in Denver, Colorado earlier this year. It was a lovely town. I had some fun at the ballpark, checked out the spectacular mountain vistas, even hit the slopes. I'd recommend it to anyone - anyone under 230 pounds. After UFC 135, I suggest the big boys stay away. Far away.

Jon Jones amazed last night. Josh Koscheck may have finished the career of the legendary Matt Hughes. The younger Diaz brother taught Takanori Gomi that leading with your head is a bad idea no matter how many times Rocky Balboa does it in the movies. Only the heavyweights failed to deliver. Unless by deliver you mean sucked in heaving breath after heaving breath.

Last night's UFC 135 featured two heavyweight slobber knockers. At least that was the intent. It's rare to see UFC matchmaker Joe Silva book two showcase fights; he prefers matchups that are even even with legitimate doubt to the outcome. Insiders knew that wasn't the case here. Prospect Travis Browne was supposed to obliterate the jiggly overweight Brit Rob Broughton. Ben Rothwell, in his first bout back after an ACL injury, was supposed to steamroll kickboxer Mark Hunt and finish him easily on the ground. Instead, fatigue was the ultimate equalizer in both cases.

Browne and Broughton just did not look up to par. It was Hunt and Rothwell who took it to new levels. By the third round of their fifteen minute fight, neither man could move. Rothwell looked like he was being inflated by bellows, heaving for breaths, looking dangerously like a man who might just pass out at any minute.

Unfortunately Hunt, a fighter who is so short and thick he's nearly perfectly squared, had little more to offer. Despite an obvious advantage standing, the former K-1 champion was looking for the takedown in the third round. Not because he thought it would give him the best chance to win the fight - but because it would give him some precious moments to catch his breath.

It was that kind of night for the heavyweights.

Video UFC 135 Post-Fight Press Conference, Fight Night Awards, Gate Attendance

2011-09-25T04:42:10Z

At the UFC 135 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White announced that 16,344 people were in attendance at Denver, Colorado's Pepsi Center for a. Gate of $2 million. White awarded Knock Out of the Night to Josh Koscheck for his finish of Matt Hughes, Submission of the Night goes to Nate Diaz for his arm bar of Takanori Gomi. Fight of the Night went to UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and Quinton Jackson. All awards come with a cash prize of $75,000.

Complete results from UFC 135:

UFC 135 results: Jon Jones defeats Quinton "Rampage" Jackson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:14 of round 4.

UFC 135 results: Josh Koscheck defeats Matt Hughes via knockout (strikes) at 4:59 of round 1.

UFC 135 results: Mark Hunt defeats Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27).

UFC 135 results: Travis Browne defeats Rob Broughton via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

UFC 135 results: Nate Diaz defeats Takanori Gomi via submission (armbar) at 4:27 of round 1.

UFC 135 results: Tony Ferguson defeats Aaron Riley via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round 1.

UFC 135 results: Tim Boetsch defeats Nick Ring via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

UFC 135 results: Junior Assuncao defeats Eddie Yagin via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27).

UFC 135 results: James Te Huna defeats Ricardo Romero by TKO at 0:47 of the 1st round.

UFC 135 results: Takeya Mizugaki defeats Cole Escovedo via TKO (strikes) at 4:30 of round 2.