One UFC legend’s expensive fight camp did not pay dividends when he shared the cage with Jon Jones on this day 14 years ago.
Jones is widely regarded as a leading contender in the race for ‘greatest of all time’ status, having broken numerous records across an illustrious 30-fight career in MMA.
Aside from Jones’ controversial disqualification loss, the Rochester native is undefeated in the sport. Some of the best names the light heavyweight division has ever seen tried and failed to get the better of ‘Bones’.
That includes one former champion whose unsuccessful effort cost him over a million dollars.
Jon Jones choked out Rampage Jackson at UFC 135 to kick off historic reign
On this day, September 24, in 2011, UFC 135 took place at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The pay-per-view was headlined by a grudge match, as Jones defended his title against Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.
The fight marked Jones’ first since stopping Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua to become the youngest champion in UFC history. Jackson was intent on making his foe’s reign a short one, and to boost his chances of doing so, the motivated ex-Pride star spent a heavy sum on his UFC 135 camp.
“For recent fights, it has been hard to work 100 percent, but no-one has needed to try to motivate me for this fight,” Jackson said. “I want my belt back.
“Between me, my Wolf’s Lair team and the guys at the MusclePharm gym here in Denver, we’ve spent over $1 million on this camp.
“You’ll see the best Rampage since I fought Wanderlei Silva (in December 2008),” Jackson added.
But the expenses that went into that figure did little to prevent Jones from completely dominating Jackson on fight night.
Jones was in complete control for much of the contest, eventually submitting ‘Rampage’ with a rear-naked choke 74 seconds into round four.
While he was the first man to fail at unseating Jones from a UFC throne, Jackson would not be the last. The GOAT contender would go on to secure a record 12 successful title defenses in the promotion, including one at heavyweight.
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Jon Jones was accused of having a ‘spy’ in Rampage Jackson’s camp
Jones and Jackson entered their fight as bitter rivals, especially after an accusation from the challenger’s team.
Ahead of UFC 135, Jones was accused of having a spy in Jackson’s camp. While the defending champ vehemently denied the claim, that did not convince his rival.
“I know what I know. Someone in his camp was spying on my camp,” Jackson said. “I don’t care. He could have a live feed to my gym 24-7 for all I give a damn.”
The controversy arose when a fan on social media warned Jackson about a spy. To test the theory ‘Rampage’ told his gym about an “injury.” Just hours later, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva contacted the fighter’s camp to ask about rumors of an issue.
When asked who told him the news, Silva responded that he received a phone call from Malki Kawa, Jones’ manager.