Among the many elite fighters that Jon Jones has faced in his illustrious UFC career, the MMA legend recently revealed the name of the one opponent who gave him the toughest time in the octagon. Known for his unparalleled fighting skills and impeccable record, Jones has become a towering figure in mixed martial arts, maintaining an undefeated streak that boasts no losses by knockout, TKO, or any other legitimate means, with his only loss coming by disqualification.
Despite his exceptional career, he recently opened up about the fighter who hit him the hardest, leaving fans curious about the details. Keep reading to find out who made this lasting impression on the UFC champion.
The hardest punch Jon Jones ever received
Jones has faced numerous fierce opponents throughout his career, but one stands out for delivering a punch so powerful that it left "Bones" in disbelief. The moment came during his highly anticipated battle with Rashad "Suga" Evans on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145 in Atlanta, Georgia. The fight, which went for five intense rounds, saw Jones successfully defend his UFC light heavyweight title and solidify his reputation as one of the greatest in the sport. However, amidst the exchanges of punches, it was Evans’ strike that truly stunned Jon Jones.
In a recent interview, Jones shared his experience of receiving the hardest punch of his career, saying: "The hardest punch I ever received was from a guy named 'Suga' Rashad Evans. He caught me with an overhand right, the same exact punch he hit Chuck Liddell with and dropped him; he caught me with that same punch. It wasn’t that he hit me so hard, it was the speed of the punch. It was almost like, you can tighten up or you can just let your arm be loose and let it swing. It’s kind of like an overhand slap, bro, he hit me so fast and I had no clue what it was," Jones said.
"He just caught me right at the edge of my chin, and I remember my feet were to a point where I couldn’t control my legs. Then I refocused, and I was able to stand again, but bro, that was by far the fastest I’ve ever been hit. And thank God I didn’t become unconscious because I probably should have been, Jones added.
This revelation highlights the unique combination of speed and precision Evans brought to the fight, making it a memorable moment in Jon Jones’ career. Despite the punch, Jones remained resilient, continuing his dominance in the sport.