UFC 128 Play-by-Play: Mauricio Shogun Rua vs. Jon Jones

Jon Jones unleashes on Mauricio Shogun Rua at UFC 128

Round 1: Jones opens up with a jumping knee, and after a brief exchange, Jones gets a trip takedown. Rua is able to get full guard and looks to kick up his legs high, but Jones resists and ends up in half guard. Back to full guard for Rua as Jones presses him against the cage. Jones remains in control from the top and lands a nice elbow to the body. Rua is able to get up but not without Jones slamming him with a knee followed by a punch. Jones is battering Rua with knees and punches, and the champion looks hurt. Rua slips underneath a spinning back elbow and looks for a kneebar, but Jones turns and ends up on top of Rua.
MMAWeekly scores R1 10-9 Jon Jones

Jon Jones push kicks Mauricio Shogun Rua at UFC 128

Round 2: Jones with a push kick to keep Shogun away. Shogun leaps forward for a punch and gets caught in the clinch. Jones unloads another big punch. Shogun gets the clinch, but quickly backs out. Jones jumps in with a nice shot to the body, but he’s slowing down a bit in the 2nd round. Jones hits a straight left that connects flush on Shogun’s jaw. Jones catches Shogun’s ankle and jumps into his guard. Jones looks for elbows inside the Brazilian’s guard, Rua playing defense. Jones stays on the attack, but cautious to open up for anything too big. Rua basically holding on at this point, maybe looking for a stand up.
MMAWeekly scores R2 10-9 Jon Jones

Jon Jones nails Mauricio Shogun Rua at UFC 128

Round 3: Jones still looking to throw kicks in the start of the third. Jones misses with a high kick, and Rua looks for a leg lock, but Jones spins and ends up on top of Shogun, stuck in half guard. Jones looking to trap Rua’s arm to unload strikes. Jones blasts Rua with punches as the champion starts to look in more and more trouble. Jones cracks Rua with a huge left hand followed by elbows. Rua gets up but Jones is on the attack, blasting Shogun with punches and finishing the fight with a huge knee as Shogun crumples to the canvas.

Jon Jones is the new Light-Heavyweight Champion

Jon “Bones” Jones def. Maurcio “Shogun” Rua by TKO at 2:37, R3

UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones Live Results Home Page