3. Jon Jones (C) Vs. Lyoto Machida UFC 140
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1STUwzZvjwA Result: Jones defeated Machida via technical submission (standing guillotine) at 4:26 of round 2 Jon Jones is very much the perfect storm of what makes an incredible mixed martial artist. A genetically-gifted athlete, highly skilled and utterly ruthless. In his second defence of his light heavyweight belt, Jonny Bones faced the man believed to be his biggest challenge so far in former-205-lbs champ Lyoto Machida. Though Jones had his usual reach advantage with that ridiculous 84.5 wingspan, it was believed that The Dragons world-class karate skills should not only give him the ability to undo Jones reach but also a more general stand-up advantage. For the start of the fight, peoples suspicions appeared to be correct the Brazilian caught the champion with a glancing right hook off a counterattack before unloading body kicks to win him the first round. The second round was a very different story however. Employing his dangerous elbows, Jon gashed the face of the challenger before landing a short right hand which badly hurt The Dragon. Spotting the opening, Jon Jones clamped down on Machidas neck using his 64 frame to elevate the challenger in a deep standing guillotine against the cage. The incredibly tough Lyoto couldnt prevent himself from suffering the first and only submission loss of his career as though he refused to tap Big John McCarthy astutely stopped the action, leaving the unconscious body of one of the greatest UFC fighters to slump in a heap. It may not be the most technically dazzling feat of submission youll ever see, but it must surely be one of the most brutal.
Sam Heard
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Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
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