UFC 214: Jon Jones beats Daniel Cormier to clinch light heavyweight title

Jon Jones reclaimed the light heavyweight title after knocking out Daniel Cormier in the third round at UFC 214.

Jones finished Cormier with a kick to the head in the third round of the main event on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Jones had been stripped of the title twice, the first time in April 2015, just a few months after beating Cormier in their first matchup via unanimous decision in January of that same year.

Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Jones and 38-year-old Cormier battled evenly through the first two rounds. The latter, in fact, may have been getting the better of Jones early.

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But about midway through the third round, a vicious left kick from Jones sent Cormier reeling across the Octagon, and the former took advantage by staying on the attack.

Jones swept Cormier’s legs, causing him to tumble to the ground, before unleashing a relentless series of left uppercuts to his head.  

At that point, referee John McCarthy had little choice but to stop the fight.

An emotional @JonnyBones after hearing Buffer say #AndNew #UFC214 pic.twitter.com/Z4QwO5jfmP

— #UFC214 (@ufc) July 30, 2017

One to be remembered ....#UFC214 pic.twitter.com/lZmm7xCyvo

— #UFC214 (@ufc) July 30, 2017

“I want to take this time to thank ‘DC’ for being my greatest rival and motivator,” Jones said. “He has no reason to hang his head. He is a model champion, and I aspire to be more like that man. He’s an amazing human being. I know we were opponents, but outside of that, he is a true champion for the rest of his life.”

Jones – who claimed his 10th career knockout - improved to a 23-1 win-loss record, strengthening his status as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all-time.

Cormier fell to 19-2, his only two losses coming against Jones.

“I don’t know, man,” Cormier said. “I don’t know what happened. Kick in the head. Oh, man, I am so disappointed. If he wins both fights, there is no rivalry. I don’t know.”