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FIGHT ODDS

Sherdog’s Top 10: Moments When Titles Changed Hands

Mike SloanJul 21, 2015
Jon Jones took the UFC light heavyweight title by force. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com


10. Jon Jones vs. Mauricio Rua
UFC 128 “Shogun vs. Jones”
March 19, 2011 | Newark, N.J.

Even with the rash of personal issues that have plagued Jones over the past year, “Bones” still has not been legitimately defeated as a pro. When he stepped in for injured teammate and eventual archenemy Rashad Evans to fight “Shogun” for the light heavyweight title at UFC 128, most people expected Jones to win. What many did not anticipate, however, was how badly he would thrash Rua.

Jones seized control early when he delivered a series of knees to the face of the Brazilian after they scrambled to their feet. Rua was badly rocked and never in the fight from that point forward, and Jones ripped into him like a human killing machine until it was over. Rua somehow managed to survive halfway through the third frame, but a vicious left hook to the body followed by a knee on the way down finished him for good. It was as thorough a beating as any challenger has administered on a defending titleholder in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and it officially began Jones’ reign of terror that nothing -- save for legal woes -- has been able to stop.

Number 9 » Melted Ice