Jon Jones handed his first ever loss at a UFC event after being thumped in a backstage push-up contest by Zion Clark
Jon Jones defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 to become the heavyweight champion and extend his almost unbeaten streak in MMA.
However, footage has now emerged of MMA fighter Zion Clark handing Jones his first loss at a UFC event when the pair competed in a push-up contest. Clark was born with a rare condition known as Caudal Regression Syndrome, resulting in him being born with no legs.
Clark became a viral sensation roughly five years ago when he began defeating opponents in high school wrestling matches, despite having no legs. Zion Clark had no trouble destroying Jon Jones due to his incredible upper-body strength as a result of his condition.
MMA news outlet MMA Mania posted footage of the contest on Twitter with the caption:
"The only person to beat Jon Jones tonight was Zion Clark."
Watch the video below:
The only person to beat Jon Jones tonight was Zion Clark https://t.co/lxNF07Np4l
'Bones' also has an official loss on his record to Matt Hamill, but the result came via disqualification after Jones landed a series of illegal.
Any elbow strike moving directly in the North-South position is called a 12-6 elbow, relating to the position of the numbers 12 and 6 of an analog clock. The rule was implemented in 2000 after State Commissions saw footage of people breaking bricks and ice blocks using an up-and-down elbow strike and deemed the strike too dangerous.
The singular loss on Jon Jones' record is often disregarded. The consensus within the MMA community is that the 12-6 elbow rule is ridiculous. Many have pointed out that a perfectly executed spinning heel kick or a flying knee would result in far more damage than even the most perfect 12-6 elbow.
Jon Jones discusses proposed fight with Stipe Miocic
Jon Jones was crowned the king of the heavyweight division after submitting Ciryl Gane in round 1 of UFC 285.
'Bones' vacated the light heavyweight title in 2020 and announced he would be moving to heavyweight. He spent the next three years bulking up in preparation for larger and stronger opponents, and weighed in at 248 lbs this weekend.
UFC President Dana White announced prior to the event that the winner of Jones vs. Gane would face Stipe Miocic next. According to White, the bout is likely to take place at International Fight Week in July.
Jon Jones sat down with ESPN host Michael Eaves and UFC commentator Jon Anik following his title win and previewed his bout with Miocic by saying:
"There has never been a fight that means more to me than beating Stipe Miocic. I don't think I've ever fought a 'GOAT', and people consider him the greatest heavyweight of all time... I'm gonna look a lot better in my next fight. I'm gonna be lean and mean, and fast. Well rehearsed. I've been training for Stipe for a long time already."
Watch the interview below: