UFC 128: The Jon "Bones" Jones era has begun
Hours before Saturday's UFC 128 championship fight event took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., light heavyweight challenger Jon “Bones” Jones was walking to a waterfall to meditate when he saw a guy stealing items from a car. He chased the robber and apprehended him until the police arrived. Fast forward to several hours later, and Jones was running down light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and beating him like he stole something.
Not since Cain Velasquez's TKO of Brock Lesnar has there been such domination of a UFC champion for the entire fight. Rua had no answer for Jones' 84.5-inch reach or his unorthodox style. Jones could have ended the fight in the second round, but it looked like he got tired from beating Rua. The bout ended at 2:37 of the third round when Jones scored a technical knockout with a body punch and a knee to the head of the champion Rua.
Many thought the only way Rua could win this fight would be for him to kick Jones' front leg. But, it was Jones that did the kicking throughout the fight, even soccer kicking the Brazilian in one exchange.
Jones’ striking coach, Mike Winkeljohn told sherdog.com, “I see the progression in the gym. I was telling everybody that he could beat ‘Shogun’ standing up. I’ll never say it was easy, though. ‘Shogun’ is very tough, and he was inches away from a few counters in there when Jon was punching. But, for the most part, [Jon] dominated. He stayed long, and he hit him long and often. He [used] angles and he took [Rua] down when he wanted to. It was a great performance. I’m very happy.”
After the fight, UFC announced the next fight for Jones. It will be former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans; his training partner at Greg Jackson's mixed martial arts. Evans was greeted with boos when the camera panned to him in the octagon. Both fighters had said in the past that they would never fight each other -- a rule that was in place at Jackson’s MMA. UFC analyst Joe Rogan asked Evans about the statement of never fighting training partner.
"I guess you should never say never," Evans said. He also tweeted the next morning "I no longer will use Greg Jackson as my coach but we r still cool!."
At the end they shook hands. The next time we see them they will be in the middle of the octagon for Jones' first title defense.
Jon “Bones” Jones will dominate this division for years to come.
Below are the full undercard results.
Erik Koch defeated Raphael Assuncao by knockout (punches) at 2:32 in the first round.
Nick Catone beat Constantinos Philippou by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 30-27.
Joseph Benavidez beat Ian Loveland by unanimous decision. One judge scored it 29-28, while the other two had it 30-27.
Gleison Tibau beat Kurt Pellegrino by split decision. One judge scored it 29-28 Pellegrino, while the other two had it 29-28 for Tibau.
Mike Pyle defeated Ricardo Almeida by unanimous decision. One judge scored it 29-28, while the other two had it 30-27.
Edson Mendes Barboza Jr. defeated Anthony Njokuani by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 29-28.
Luis Artur Cane Jr. defeated Eliot Marshall by technical knockout (punches) at 2:15 in the first round.
Brendan Schaub defeated Mirko Filipovic by knockout (punches) at 3:44 in the third round.
Nate Marquardt defeated Dan Miller by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 30-27.
Jim Miller defeated Kamal Shalorus by technical knockout (punches) at 2:15 in the third round.
Urijah Faber defeated Eddie Wineland by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 29-28.
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
Jones looked great no doubt but we didn’t see the best of Shogun last night. He looked in absolutely terrible physical condition same as the Griffin fight. When he starts trying to pull guard like he did with Griffin but so sloppy. That’s not to say I think Shogun in top shape could beat him because I don’t think he would.
AR,
Rua looked in shape to me. He just had no answer for Jon Jones.
-Kevin
Posted by: Atlanta Roofing | March 20, 2011 9:11 PM
Whether or not Shogun was 100% remains to be seen over the course of his next couple fights... He does unfortunately have a slight history of struggling when coming back from an Injury. Either way though, I do not think he would have an answer for Jones, I do not think anyone does. I have never seen a fighter like him, not even close.
Lets just hope he keeps his head and doesn't screw up like the previous youngest title holder, Josh Barnett.
Sean,
I couldn't have said it better. He is the Michael Jordan of the octagon.
-Kevin
Posted by: Sean | March 21, 2011 8:18 AM
I think the only person with a chance at the moment to beat Jones would be Machida. I'm not saying he would or that Machida is even the 2nd best fighter in that weight class. I think styles wise, he would be the best fit. Great takedown defense, great counter striker, elusive. He's trained against AS and should be used to unorthodox striking. The hardest thing to train for against Jon Jones though is that reach. But... Jones will probably dominate this sport for years to come.
Phi,
I would rather see him fight Machida, than Rashad Evans. Machida's unorthodox style would be a better match for the fans.
Kevin
Posted by: Phi | March 21, 2011 8:50 AM
Bones is doing Leno tonight. First UFC fighter to ever do Leno! The prophecies are coming true Kevin. Bones can really push MMA into the mainstream as the purist and best form of the fight game. Get your DVR's ready fight fans!
Ballz,
You're right. MMA has it's first huge mega star. Jon Jones era has begun.
-Kevin
Posted by: Ballz Mahoney | March 24, 2011 10:56 AM