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UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 24, 2011, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
Jon Jones was expected to make his first title defense on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133 against Rashad Evans, but Jones was sidelined with a hand injury. It was initially announced that the hand injury would require surgery, but Jones opted for rest and rehabilitation without surgery after further consultations with doctors. Jones’ injury was originally thought to keep him out of action until late 2011, but instead, he made his first title defense against Quinton Jackson at this event.
In his first successful title defense, Jones defeated a Rampage who was in the best condition, physically and mentally, that he has been in for a long time.
Right away, Jones seemed intent on preemptively erasing any asterisks. He stood toe to toe with Jackson and used his staggering 11.5-inch reach advantage to inflict damage while keeping Rampage from finding his range. He put on a well-rounded and sustained effort that lasted into the championship rounds.
It will be hard for even the most psychologically challenged Jones detractors to find a way to downgrade this effort.
He showcased that he is a learning computer. It was clear from the outset that Jones knew Jackson’s weaknesses and would exploit them. The clearest cases in point were the leg kicks he threw repeatedly in an amped-up version of the same game plan Forrest Griffin used to defeat Rampage in 2008.
Jones threw leg kicks from the inside, outside, and straight on, even appearing to hyperextend Jackson’s knee on one or two occasions. He also stayed clear of Jackson’s punching power by using the aforementioned reach and taking the fight to the ground at strategic moments, including on the occasion that led to the tapout.
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Jon Jones
