UFC free fight: Jon Jones chokes out Lyoto Machida to retain light heavyweight title at UFC 140

Jon Jones started to show his versatility in the octagon at a very young age.

In just his second title defense, UFC light heavyweight champion Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) faced former champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 140.

In Round 1, Jones controlled the center of the octagon and kept his range with an array of kicks as he pressured Machida in the early stages. Machida connected with a few flurries on the counter, but Jones managed to backpedal out of harm’s way to avoid Machida’s most damaging strikes.

Midway through Round 2, Jones landed a big takedown and connected with some brutal elbows that left Machida cut. Machida eventually made his way back to his feet, but Jones continued to walk him down.

Machida then threw a big overhand left, but Jones dropped him on the counter. Then the defending champion swiftly latched onto “The Dragon’s” neck and sunk in a standing guillotine choke. A few seconds later, Machida was flat on his face having been choked unconscious in one of scariest submission finishes you’ll see. It was the first time Machida had been submitted in his 20 career fights to that point.

Jones went on to defend the belt another five times before being stripped of his title following a hit-and-run incident in 2015.

He has not lost since but, after re-capturing his title, Jones was stripped for a second time after testing positive for turinabol.

But, in December 2018,  Jones captured the title yet again by defeating Alexander Gustafsson, then went on to successfully defend the strap a further three times.

Check out Jones’ spectacular finish of Machida in the video above.