Rampage Jackson and Jon Jones trade shots in the third round, and one swing sparks a debate about strikes to the back of the head. UFC 135, 2011. via @casual__mma_ #JonJones #RampageJackson #UFC135 #MMA #CombatSports
A moment from UFC 135 is making the rounds again, as footage of the third-round exchange between Jon Jones and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has reignited a long-running argument over strikes to the back of the head.
The clip, reshared by a fan account, focuses on a particular swing during the bout and has prompted fresh discussion among viewers about whether the shot crossed the line under unified rules, which prohibit blows to the back of the skull.
Jones, now 28-1-0 and widely regarded as one of the most accomplished light heavyweights in the sport's history, was 24 years old when he fought at UFC 135 in 2011. The six-foot-four orthodox fighter carries an 84-inch reach — one of the longest in the division — and has built his career on unconventional striking angles and range manipulation, averaging 4.38 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy. Those physical tools have always made his punching trajectories difficult to read, which may be part of why the debate around this particular exchange has resurfaced with renewed energy.
Why it matters
- Strikes to the back of the head remain one of the most contested and inconsistently enforced rules in MMA
- Jones's unorthodox angles and elite reach make his punches a recurring subject of rules discussions
- Revisiting historical moments keeps scrutiny on officiating standards that continue to affect modern bouts
