UFC 135 “Jones vs. Rampage” was a mixed martial arts event held on September 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Jon Jones was expected to make his first title defense on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133 against Rashad Evans, but Jones was sidelined with a hand injury. It was initially announced that the hand injury would require surgery, but Jones opted for rest and rehabilitation without surgery after further consultations with doctors. Jones injury was originally thought to keep him out of action until late 2011, but instead, he made his first title defense against Quinton Jackson at this event.

 

Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck

Hughes is one of the UFC's all time best fighters, but is on the tail end of his career. His strength is his wrestling and he also has a solid submission game, but he has always been a subpar striker. He was originally supposed to fight Diego Sanchez but Sanchez was injured and Koscheck stepped in. Koscheck has wanted to fight Hughes for years but Hughes always resisted the fight because he didn't like Koscheck and didn't want to give him the opportunity. Now on short notice he took the fight. Koscheck is a younger man with better wrestling credentials and better striking. It's a tough stylistic matchup for Hughes and Koscheck is the heavy betting favorite.
Hughes comes to the cage with the old Miletich Fighting Systems crew: Pat Miletich, Robbie Lawler and Jeremy Horn. That was one of the first elite training camps in MMA and one of the most important training camps in the evolution of the sport. Hughes has trained more with Lawler in recent years and the group coming out together is clearly meant as a statement.
Hughes after the fight said he's not retiring but he's going to tell UFC to "put him on the shelf" for the time being. Hughes seemed on the version of tearing up but kept his emotions in check.

Jon Jones vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

Jones comes from a wrestling background but has picked up striking very quickly. One of his greatest strengths is his natural size and reach, which keeps opponents off balance and allows him to attack from unique angles and in unique ways. Jackson was originally more of a wrestling based fighter but over time he has fallen in love with boxing and he utilizes primarily boxing to win these days. Jackson is also noted for having an excellent chin. Jones has a colossal 11 and a half inch reach advantage.

Jones neutralized Jackson’s offense, softened him with kicks and then finished him at 1:14 of the fourth round with a rear-naked choke in the main event of UFC 135 at the Pepsi Center. Jones opened a cut over Jackson’s right eye in the third round with an elbow, then quickly finished him with the choke in the fourth. Jackson, a former champion, had spent more than two months training in Denver, working harder than he had in a long time, by his own admission. But he still had no answer for Jones’ length and varied attack. Jones’ striking was even a factor.

“He insulted my striking and said I had no punching power,” Jones said. “I got together with Mike Winkeljohn to work on my striking to try to prove a point.”

Jackson, who staged a psychological battle against Jones leading up to the fight, came away impressed. “I thought it was hype, but he’s the real thing,” said Jackson, who said he was better than he’s ever been.”

 

UFC 135 “Jones vs. Rampage” Results

Preliminary Card

• Light Heavyweight bout: James Te Huna vs. Ricardo Romero
Te Huna defeated Romero via KO (punches) at 0:47 of round 1. This bout aired on the televised broadcast following the Ferguson vs. Riley fight.

• Bantamweight bout: Takeya Mizugaki vs. Cole Escovedo
Mizugaki defeated Escovedo via TKO (punches) at 4:30 of round 2. This bout aired on PPV broadcast following the Jones vs. Jackson fight.

• Featherweight bout: Junior Assunção vs. Eddie Yagin
Assunção defeated Yagin via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27).

• Middleweight bout: Nick Ring vs. Tim Boetsch
Boetsch defeated Ring via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

• Lightweight bout: Tony Ferguson vs. Aaron Riley
Ferguson defeated Riley via TKO (Corner Stoppage) at 5:00 of round 1.

Main Card

• Lightweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi
Diaz defeated Gomi via submission (armbar) at 4:27 of round 1.

• Heavyweight bout: Travis Browne vs. Rob Broughton
Browne defeated Broughton via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

• Heavyweight bout: Ben Rothwell vs. Mark Hunt
Hunt defeated Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27).

• Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck
Koscheck defeated Hughes via KO (punches) at 4:59 of round 1.

• Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones (c) vs. Quinton Jackson
Jones defeated Jackson via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:14 of round 4 to retain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

Bonus awards
 - Fight of the Night: Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson
 - Knockout of the Night: Josh Koscheck
 - Submission of the Night: Nate Diaz