Jones scariest performance undoubtedly was his second title defense versus previous champ Lyoto Machida in Toronto
Jones had actually already successfully negotiated his first title defense with relative ease against Quinton Jackson, however lots of observers believed that Machidas special, tricky karate-based design would position a host of issues for Jones, just as they had his predecessor, Rashad Evans.
To do something like that to a male who, 17 months earlier, held the belt didnt simply include a 2nd title defense to Jones record. It sent a message to the rest of the division: A brand-new type of fighter had arrived, and he had no objective of letting a former champ usurp his dominance.
Watch Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on UFC Fight Pass
The finish would have been impressive enough, but the optics of it, with Jones letting go of Machidas neck and strolling away as the unconscious Brazilian collapsed in a stack on the mat, was among the most memorable visuals of Jones profession.
But while other fighters dealt with Machidas design, Jones just raked through it, as he recovered from being stunned in the first round to register a second-round technical submission success through standing guillotine choke.
