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career. But after losing his first UFC fight in 2010, Hunt has now won twice in 2011. His victory over Rothwell, which was dominant if not pretty, was scored 30-27, 29-27 and 29-28 by the three judges.
In the second round Hunt surprised Rothwell with a trip-takedown and got on top and battered away at him, absolutely controlling him on the ground. And in an absolute shock at the end of the second round, Hunt actually attempted an arm bar. It was a shocking display for fans who have seen Hunt through the years and never seen him do much of anything on the ground.
By the third round Rothwell had been so badly battered and was so tired that he looked like a zombie in the cage. "I don't think I've ever seen a guy this tired in the Octagon before," UFC announcer Joe Rogan said of Rothwell in the third. Hunt didn't have much energy, either, but he had more than Rothwell, and as the fight ended it was Hunt who was in control.
Hunt now has a career MMA record of 7-7. Rothwell drops to 31-8.
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UFC 135 Photos
Tony Ferguson def. Aaron Riley via first-round TKO (broken jaw) at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 135 Photos Aaron Riley suffers a broken jaw at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Aaron Riley tries to counter Tony Ferguson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Tony Ferguson cracks the jaw of Aaron Riley with an uppercut at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Tim Boetsch def. Nick Ring via unanimous decision at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
- UFC 135 Photos Tim Boetsch raises his arms at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Tim Boetsch tries a shoulderlock on Nick Ring at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Tim Boetsch attacks the arm of Nick Ring at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Junior Assuncao ground and pounds Eddie Yagin at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Eddie Yagin lands a left hand on Junior Assuncao at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Eddie Yagin connects on a right hand at Junior Assuncao at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Takeya Mizugaki def. Cole Escovedo via TKO (punches) at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Takeya Mizugaki celebrates his win over Cole Escovedo at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Takeya Mizugaki beats Cole Escovedo via TKO (punches) at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Takeya Mizugaki punches Cole Escovedo at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Cole Escovedo kicks Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Takeya Mizugaki crushes Cole Escovedo with a left hand at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
James Te Huna def. Ricardo Romero via KO (punches) at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
James Te Huna knocks down Ricardo Romero at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
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UFC 135 Photos
Nate Diaz makes impact with a punch on Takanori Gomi at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 135 Photos Nate Diaz punches Takanori Gomi at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Nate Diaz slaps on a triangle choke on Takanori Gomi at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 135 Photos Nate Diaz punches Takanori Gomi at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Travis Browne knees Rob Broughton at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 135 Photos Travis Browne climbs on top of Rob Broughton at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Travis Browne punches Rob Broughton at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 135 Photos Ben Rothwell walks to the back after his loss to Mark Hunt at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Mark Hunt defeats Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Mark Hunt takes a breather after a three-round fight at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Mark Hunt looks to ground and pound Ben Rothwell at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Mark Hunt attempts an armbar on Ben Rothwell at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Mark Hunt goes behind Ben Rothwell at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Mark Hunt kicks Ben Rothwell at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Ben Rothwell mounts Mark Hunt at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Ben Rothwell collides with Mark Hunt at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Josh Koscheck defeats Matt Hughes at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos The referee attends to Matt Hughes at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Josh Koscheck celebrates his win over Matt Hughes at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Josh Koscheck shakes UFC matchmaker Joe Silva's hand at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Josh Koscheck knocks out Matt Hughes at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Josh Koscheck knocks out Matt Hughes at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Matt Hughes tries to grab Josh Koscheck at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Josh Koscheck punches Matt Hughes at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck are ready to fight at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 135 Photos Rashad Evans talks about being the next challenger for Jon Jones at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones retains his UFC light heavyweight title against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones retains his UFC light heavyweight title against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones relaxes after his win over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones embraces Quinton "Rampage" Jackson after their fight at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones beats Quinton "Rampage" Jackson with a rear-naked choke at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones submits Quinton "Rampage" Jackson with a rear-naked choke at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Quinton "Rampage" Jackson takes a breather after the third round at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones fires punches at Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones lands a front kick to the face of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones throws a kick at Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones throws a punch at Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in the face at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones throws a kick at the ribs of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones throws a kick at Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones throws a kick to the body of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting - UFC 135 Photos Quinton "Rampage" Jackson throws a punch at Jon Jones at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
- UFC 135 Photos Jon Jones receives corner advice for his fight against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones kicks Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones kicks Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones crawls in the early moments of his fight against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in the face at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones crawls in the early moments of his fight against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in the face at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting -
UFC 135 Photos
Jon Jones and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson receive final instructions before their title fight at UFC 135 on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
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