Sherdog’s Top 10: One-Round Fights

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9. Carlos Newton vs. Jose Landi-Jons
Pride 19 “Bad Blood”
Feb. 24, 2002

Newton and “Pele” were two of the early pioneers of what would eventually become MMA’s lighter weight classes, and they were already veterans of the sport when they put on a one-round masterpiece in Pride Fighting Championships back in 2002. Landi-Jons boasted wins over Jorge Patino, Evangelista Santos, former UFC champion Pat Miletich and UFC welterweight titleholder Hughes, while Newton was coming off his iconic loss by slam to Hughes in the first of their two meetings.

The fight itself was less a slobberknocker than a back-and-forth scrap that encapsulated every bit of what separates MMA from its component arts. Newton looked to punch his way into the clinch, where he worked multiple body-lock takedowns and a sweet hip-toss, while “Pele” repeatedly cracked Newton with brutal stepping knees as he tried to change levels for a shot. The grappling exchanges and scrambles were incredible, with Newton hunting for submissions from the top as the Brazilian attempted to recover guard and roll back to his feet. Finally, Landi-Jons slammed the Canadian to the mat; Newton reversed and managed to lock up a step-over armbar from side control to finish the fight.

It was an intelligent, quick-paced fight between two of the best of the era, and if you have not seen it, it cannot be recommended highly enough.

Number 8 » Emelianenko vs. Fujita