Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson thinks there should be an asterisk next to Jon Jones' UFC accolades.
After becoming the UFC's youngest-ever titleholder, Jon Jones met Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson in his first title defense at UFC 135. It was considered Jones' biggest test after dismantling Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua to become the UFC light heavyweight win the championship.
Jones vs. Rampage had an eventful build-up before the fight. Jackson accused Jones of planting a spy in his camp, and Jones teased Jackson about his video game obsessions leading up to the night of the fight.
Inside the Octagon, Jones made it look easy against Jackson. He systematically broke Jackson on the feet, and as soon as the fight hit the canvas, Jones overwhelmed Jackson en route to a victory.
Despite being years removed from their fight, Jackson believes Jones is a dirty fighter and bends the rules to gain an unfair advantage.
Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Rampage Jackson points out two things that make Jon Jones “the dirtiest fighter.”
During an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Jackson explained his stance on Jones.
“Jon Jones is a great fighter. Even if he were standing in this room, I would say it. But he's the dirtiest fighter ever,” Jackson stated. “That man is so smart. He does the dirtiest things.
“If you do something good to him, he'll poke you in the eye. If you make progress or do something good, or if you get the advantage, he kicks your knee back.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
Jackson was then pressed to point out a specific technique that Jones used in their fight that he believes is considered “dirty.”
“First of all, I think he kicks you right in the kneecap with that knee kick – they call it an oblique kick,” Jackson said. “I think that should be banned. … My knee is still messed up from that fight because it was overextended – he kicked it all the way back. You can end people's careers with those moves.
“Jon Jones, he's good. He doesn't even have to do that. Think about all those spinning elbows he did in the beginning. Where did they land? Remember? In the back of people's heads. It's illegal. Jon Jones is like the dirtiest fighter.”
Jon Jones' tactics have come under scrutiny throughout his career
After defeating Jackson, Jones didn't slow down in his quest for light-heavyweight greatness, defending the title 11 times against a host of dangerous contenders. He defeated the likes of Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort during his multiple title-holding stints.
13 years after the Jackson fight, Jones is the UFC heavyweight champion and inching closer to a highly anticipated clash with Tom Aspinall. Despite previous hesitations about facing Aspinall, Jones is in active negotiations with the UFC to bring the fight to fruition.
Jones and Jackson have a mutual respect for each other dating back to before they faced each other in the Octagon. But Jackson still believes Jones' tactics and fouls during fights make him the dirtiest fighter in the history of the sport.
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