Jon Jones vs Lyoto Machida Full Fight UFC 140
Jon Jones was only 23 years of age when defended his belt for the second time, way back in 2011. Against the guy who many thought would give him a lot of trouble in veteran fighter Lyoto Machida. If you remember back to UFC 98 when Machida beat Rashad Evans for the title. Joe Rogan made his now-infamous faux pas, prematurely announcing Lyoto’s arrival into the big time, saying;
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Machida era.”
It was to be one of the shortest-lived eras in Mixed martial arts history. As Machida was to lose in his second title defence to Shogun Rua. A fighter who he had defended his title for the first time against, less than a year earlier.
Jones vs Machida Round One
Machida was doing a good job throughout the first round against the Champion Jones. With his typical striking style without taking any punishment. Machida was methodical in his approach, pawing and probing against the bigger taller fighter. But his cat-like reflexes allowed him to thwart any attack the champion tried to use. Then as Jon tried to land a kick just a few minutes in, Machida landed a combination that staggered the champion backwards.
It was a back and forth fight between the two, with the Brazilian doing well and stifling the champions gameplan. Machida managed to win the first round on points as the buzzer sounded for the end of the round.
Round Two
The second round started out much like the first, as the pair probed for openings. Then around halfway through, Lyoto again opened up with a flurry which the champion fought off. Jones managed to land a lovely right hand that temporarily stunned Machida, allowing Jon to get a takedown against the fence. And from here he lands a huge elbow which cuts Lyoto badly on the forehead.
Referee John McCarthy stops the action for a moment while the doctor takes a look, then motions for the fight to recommence. The pair once again come together in the same position, but they quickly separate. Jones lands a hard left elbow, sending Lyoto to the ground.
Then in what can only be described as a neck crank into a guillotine, Jones chokes Lyoto Machida unconscious. As Machida’s lifeless body slumps to the mat with a thud. At the time he did actually look dead! No, but he was most definitely unconscious. Let us rewatch the action before Jon Jones next has a rematch with old rival Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 on July 29.