JON JONES RECLAIMED the light heavyweight title after knocking out Daniel Cormier in the third round at UFC 214.
Jones finished Cormier with a head-kick and some ground and pound work in the third round of Saturday’s main event.
The 30-year-old Jones had been stripped of the title twice, the first time in April 2015, just a few months after beating Cormier in their first matchup via unanimous decision in January of that same year.
Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Jones and 38-year-old Cormier battled evenly through the first two rounds. The latter, in fact, may have been getting the better of Jones early.
But about midway through the third round, a vicious left kick from Jones sent Cormier reeling across the Octagon, and the former took advantage by staying on the attack.
Jones swept Cormier’s legs, causing him to tumble to the ground, before unleashing a relentless series of left uppercuts to his head.
At that point, referee John McCarthy had little choice but to stop the fight.
“I want to take this time to thank ‘DC’ for being my greatest rival and motivator,” Jones said. “He has no reason to hang his head. He is a model champion, and I aspire to be more like that man. He’s an amazing human being. I know we were opponents, but outside of that, he is a true champion for the rest of his life.”
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Jones – who claimed his 10th career knockout – improved to a 23-1 win-loss record, strengthening his status as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all-time.
Cormier fell to 19-2, his only two losses coming against Jones.
“I don’t know, man,” Cormier said. “I don’t know what happened. Kick in the head. Oh, man, I am so disappointed. If he wins both fights, there is no rivalry. I don’t know.”
UFC Fight Night 214 Results:
Main card
Jon Jones def. Daniel Cormier via TKO (round three)
Tyron Woodley def. Demian Maia via unanimous decision
Cris Cyborg def. Tonya Evinger via TKO (round three)
Robbie Lawler def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision
Volkan Oezdemir def. Jimi Manuwa via KO (round one)
Undercard
Ricardo Lamas def. Jason Knight via TKO (round one)
Jon Jones ruins Daniel Cormier after head-kick to reclaim title
JON JONES RECLAIMED the light heavyweight title after knocking out Daniel Cormier in the third round at UFC 214.
Jones finished Cormier with a head-kick and some ground and pound work in the third round of Saturday’s main event.
The 30-year-old Jones had been stripped of the title twice, the first time in April 2015, just a few months after beating Cormier in their first matchup via unanimous decision in January of that same year.
Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Jones and 38-year-old Cormier battled evenly through the first two rounds. The latter, in fact, may have been getting the better of Jones early.
But about midway through the third round, a vicious left kick from Jones sent Cormier reeling across the Octagon, and the former took advantage by staying on the attack.
Jones swept Cormier’s legs, causing him to tumble to the ground, before unleashing a relentless series of left uppercuts to his head.
At that point, referee John McCarthy had little choice but to stop the fight.
“I want to take this time to thank ‘DC’ for being my greatest rival and motivator,” Jones said. “He has no reason to hang his head. He is a model champion, and I aspire to be more like that man. He’s an amazing human being. I know we were opponents, but outside of that, he is a true champion for the rest of his life.”
Jones – who claimed his 10th career knockout – improved to a 23-1 win-loss record, strengthening his status as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all-time.
Cormier fell to 19-2, his only two losses coming against Jones.
“I don’t know, man,” Cormier said. “I don’t know what happened. Kick in the head. Oh, man, I am so disappointed. If he wins both fights, there is no rivalry. I don’t know.”
UFC Fight Night 214 Results:
Main card
Jon Jones def. Daniel Cormier via TKO (round three)
Tyron Woodley def. Demian Maia via unanimous decision
Cris Cyborg def. Tonya Evinger via TKO (round three)
Robbie Lawler def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision
Volkan Oezdemir def. Jimi Manuwa via KO (round one)
Undercard
Ricardo Lamas def. Jason Knight via TKO (round one)
Aljamain Sterling def. Renan Barao via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-26)
Brian Ortega def. Renato Moicano via submission (guillotine) (round three)
Calvin Kattar def. Andre Fili via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Alexandra Albu def. Kailin Curran via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Jarred Brooks def. Eric Shelton via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Drew Dober def. Josh Burkman via KO (round one)
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