UFC 135

UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

Background

The Ultimate Fighting Championship had its first ever event in Denver nearly 20 years prior to UFC 135, but the promotion has not operated a pay-per-view event in the Mile High City since The Ultimate Ultimate in 1995. Zuffa, the UFC’s parent company, was not the owner back then. UFC president Dana White, in an interview with MMAWeekly.com, says that the company has long been on a course to return to Denver, but they wanted to do it the right way. "We knew that we wanted to bring a big exciting card back to Denver, and we finally got it done."

Jon Jones was expected to make his first title defense on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133 against Rashad Evans, but Jones was sidelined with a hand injury. It was initially announced that the hand injury would require surgery, but Jones opted for rest and rehabilitation without surgery after further consultations with doctors. Jones' injury was originally thought to keep him out of action until late 2011, but instead, he made his first title defense against Quinton Jackson at this event.

UFC 135 featured two preliminary fights live on Spike TV.

Manny Gamburyan was scheduled to face Diego Nunes. However, on August 15, it was announced Gamburyan had to pull out of the bout due to a shoulder injury. Then, on August 29, Nunes confirmed his own exit from the card, citing injury and a murder attempt on his father. The fight was later rescheduled for UFC 141, which will take place on December 30th.

A bout between Norifumi Yamamoto and Damacio Page was expected for this event. However, the bout was scrapped on September 1 after both fighters sustained injuries while training for the bout.

Diego Sanchez was expected to face Matt Hughes, but was forced out of the bout with a broken hand and replaced by Josh Koscheck.

 

  1. Jon Jones vs Rampage Jackson
    Jon Jones
    14-1-0 Record 32-9-0
    6' 4" Height 6' 1"
    205lbs (93kg) Weight 205lbs (93kg)
    Reach
    Rampage Jackson
    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Jones defeated Jackson via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:14 of round 4 to retain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
  2. Matt Hughes vs Josh Koscheck
    Matt Hughes
    46-9-0 Record 18-5-0
    5' 9" Height 5' 10"
    170lbs (77kg) Weight 170lbs (77kg)
    Reach
    Josh Koscheck
    • Welterweight bout: Koscheck defeated Hughes via KO (punches) at 4:59 of round 1.
  3. Travis Browne vs Rob Broughton
    Travis Browne
    12-0-1 Record 15-7-1
    6' 7" Height 6' 2"
    255lbs (115kg) Weight 265lbs (120kg)
    Reach
    Rob Broughton
    • Heavyweight bout: Browne defeated Broughton via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
  4. Nate Diaz vs Takanori Gomi
    Nate Diaz
    14-7-0 Record 32-8-0, 1NC
    6' 0" Height 5' 8"
    155lbs (70kg) Weight 155lbs (70kg)
    76 Reach 70
    Takanori Gomi
    • Lightweight bout: Diaz defeated Gomi via submission (armbar) at 4:27 of round 1.
  5. Ben Rothwell vs Mark Hunt
    Ben Rothwell
    31-8-0 Record 7-7-0
    6' 4" Height 5' 10"
    265lbs (120kg) Weight 265lbs (120kg)
    Reach
    Mark Hunt
    • Heavyweight bout: Hunt defeated Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27).
  6. Tony Ferguson vs Aaron Riley
    Tony Ferguson
    13-2-0 Record 29-13-1
    5' 11" Height 5' 8"
    155lbs (70kg) Weight 155lbs (70kg)
    Reach
    Aaron Riley
    • Lightweight bout: Ferguson defeated Riley via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of round 1.
      Preliminary Card (Televised)
  7. Nick Ring vs Tim Boetsch
    Nick Ring
    12-1-0 Record 14-4-0
    6' 1" Height 6' 0"
    185lbs (84kg) Weight 185lbs (84kg)
    Reach 74
    Tim Boetsch
    • Middleweight bout: Boetsch defeated Ring via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
      Preliminary Card (Televised)
  8. Junior Assuncao vs Eddie Yagin
    Junior Assuncao
    14-4-0 Record 15-5-1
    5' 9" Height 5' 7"
    145lbs (65kg) Weight 145lbs (65kg)
    Reach
    Eddie Yagin
    • Featherweight bout: Assunção defeated Yagin via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27).
  9. Takeya Mizugaki vs Cole Escovedo
    Takeya Mizugaki
    15-6-2 Record 17-9-0
    5' 7" Height 5' 8"
    135lbs (61kg) Weight 135lbs (61kg)
    Reach
    Cole Escovedo
    • Bantamweight bout: Mizugaki defeated Escovedo via TKO (punches) at 4:30 of round 2. This bout aired last on PPV broadcast following the Jones vs. Jackson fight.
  10. James Te Huna vs Ricardo Romero
    James Te Huna
    15-5-0 Record 11-3-0
    6' 2" Height 6' 0"
    205lbs (93kg) Weight 205lbs (93kg)
    Reach
    Ricardo Romero
    • Light Heavyweight bout: Te Huna defeated Romero via KO (punches) at 0:47 of round 1. This bout aired on the Spike broadcast following the Ferguson vs. Riley fight.

 

EVENTS