Former UFC rivals Jon Jones and Rampage Jackson had a hilarious interaction backstage at Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
After Jon Jones became the youngest fighter to win a UFC championship title, his first light heavyweight title defense came against a Mixed Martial Arts legend.
Jones and former UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson headlined UFC 135 in Denver, Colorado. It marked Jackson’s return to a UFC light heavyweight title fight after he defeated two of Jones’ former rivals, Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill, to secure a title shot.
The buildup to Jones vs. Jackson was lively and heated. Jackson accused Jones of putting a spy in his camp, while Jones often mocked Jackson’s perceived unseriousness when it comes to training and fighting.
Once the fight began, it was all-Jones from the get-go. Jones submitted Jackson midway through Round 4 after beating up the former UFC champ on the feet and ground.
Things between Jones and Jackson didn’t initially take a positive turn after UFC 135, as Jackson repeatedly accused Jones of being a lifelong cheater in the cage. Despite their roller coaster past, Jones and Jackson came face-to-face and appeared to squash their beef backstage at Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
WATCH: Jon Jones ‘apologizes’ to Rampage Jackson in funny reunion
Watch Jones and Jackson reunite backstage below.
Jon Jones apologized to Rampage Jackson for cheating after 16 years of beefing 😭
“Yeah I cheat. I poke you in the eyes, kick you in the balls, stomp the knees. My bad, I’m sorry.” pic.twitter.com/CzjkYGKrMB
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 17, 2026
Jones retired from MMA last year after a tumultuous contract dispute with the UFC to fight Tom Aspinall. The two sides never came to fruition, and Jones remains at odds with UFC CEO Dana White over the longtime executive’s decision to exclude him from the upcoming White House card.
Jackson retired from MMA after a loss to Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 237 in 2019. After fighting, Jackson has built a strong career as a host of the JAXXON Podcast and a live streamer.
What is your favorite Jon Jones fight? Let us know in the comments!