Jon Jones and the Top MMA Fighters to Appear on ESPN Sport Science

Already tremendously popular with sports fans for providing scientific reasoning for why our favorite athletes can do what they do, Sport Science was a hit with MMA fans for showcasing fighters like Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Fedor Emelianenko's devastation in the ring. 

On ESPN though, the Emmy award winning show was revitalized as a segment for various shows like SportsCenter, College GameDay and MMA Live. 

For MMA fans however, the science behind the destructive force of our favorite fighter's leg kick or punch double leg takedown is especially entertaining. 

Whether its likening the force of a kick to a full on tackle from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis or comparing the amount of pressure required to choke someone unconscious to the amount to crush an egg, Sport Science puts it in layman's terms. 

And in the process, we are given a scientific explanation for some of our favorite fighter's freakish ability. 

So let's take a look at Sport Science's examination of some of the sport's best, Jon Jones and The Top MMA Fighters To Appear on ESPN Sport Science.

Gray Maynard's Upper Body Strength

Boasting grip strength greater than that of some NFL linemen, UFC No. 1 lightweight contender Gray Maynard granted ESPN some insight into why he is considered one of the strongest fighters in the division.

And what exactly is that form of strength training?

Climbing rope.

At the Sport Science center, "The Bully" gave a lesson in upper body anatomy as the lab analyzed just how strong his biceps and latissmus dorsi are.

Climbing the rope at three feet per second, Maynard is scientifically proven to hit at over 1400 lbs of force, equal to that of some of the heavyweights who have stopped by the lab. 

So while Maynard's strength is definitely impressive, it also serves as a testament to Frankie Edgar's resiliency and determination to come back after the devastating first round he suffered at UFC 125.  

However, come this Saturday at UFC 136, Maynard will have the opportunity to use all his strength to finally pull that title from Edgar's grasp. 

Brandon Vera's Interpretation of Machida's and Rua's Kicks

While Brandon Vera may have his job back for his bout with Eliot Marshall at UFC 137, he also had a pretty nice gig at the Sport Science lab.

In his guest appearance, Vera did his best Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua impressions as he mimicked their styles of kicking.

The results were interesting, as the kicks varied in speed, strength and technique and while they may not be totally accurate, credit "The Truth" for giving a pretty credible interpretation of the two former UFC Light Heavyweight Champions' kicks.  

Rashad Evans' Takedowns

In anticipation of his bout with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 114, Rashad Evans stopped by the Sport Science lab to demonstrate his takedowns. 

While the lab gave some background on Rampage's finishing power, he had already been covered by the show prior to their move to ESPN. 

So the star of this segment was Evans, who did not disappoint, showing why his takedowns were so frustrating for the likes of Thiago Silva, Jackson and Tito Ortiz. 

Now Evans awaits his crack at current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and bitter rival Jon Jones at a future bout and with Evans having bragged about showing superior wrestling against Jones during training, it will be interesting to see if it will work on "Bones."

Shogun's Punch vs. Kick

Taking a look at one of the all time greats' striking power, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua showed the Sport Science lab why he is one of the most devastating strikers in the sport. 

Giving a lesson in physics, this segment explained why Rua's kick generated almost double the amount of force than his punch. 

Add to that that he recorded the hardest single strike the lab had ever recorded, and you have explanation for why his leg kicks are so feared. 

So after defeating Forrest Griffin at UFC 134, he'll now have to have former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Henderson at UFC 139.

Henderson will definitely have his hands full when the two Pride Fighting Championship legends square off in San Jose, especially since Shogun "can kicky really hard."

Cain Velasquez

Just prior to his capturing of the UFC Heavyweight title at UFC 121, Cain Velasquez was at ESPN Sport Science to show off his athletic ability. 

Known for his incredible gas tank, solid power and excellent wrestling, the champ let the lab know why he is considered the baddest man on the planet.

Boasting a takedown on par with a tackle from Indianapolis Colts Defensive End Dwight Freeney and a punch harder than heavyweight boxers, Velasquez proved why he brutalized Brock Lesnar for the title.

Now he will have the chance to demonstrate that skill on the UFC's biggest stage yet, as he makes his first title defense against No. 1 contender Junior Dos Santos at UFC on Fox.  

Frank Mir on Joint Locks

Widely considered one of the best heavyweight submission artists in the UFC, Frank Mir put on a lesson on leverage at the Sport Science lab. 

Showing off the amount of torque joint locks like an armbar or kneebar can generate, Mir even broke the metal bracket in the test dummy's knee with a knee bar, snapping the leg and thus ending the test. 

So its no wonder why Mir was able to submit Brock Lesnar at UFC 81 with that same knee bar.

Now Mir will have an opportunity at another former UFC Heavyweight Champion in the newly rejuvenated Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria at UFC 140. 

Jon Jones Long Bones

As the youngest champion in UFC history, it was only a matter of time until current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones made an appearance on ESPN Sport Science.

Arguably the sport's most interesting physical specimen, he has the largest wingspan in the UFC, which results in one the most advantageous of reaches. 

With his 84.5 wingspan, the Sport Science lab explained just how devastating his lengthy reach can be and also how fast strikes like his elbows can be.

When you deliver a spinning back elbow faster than the blades of an Apache helicopter, you know your striking is nothing to mess around with.  

GSP

When examining arguably the sport's most complete fighter, Sport Science did a total analysis of Georges St. Pierre. 

The reigning UFC Welterweight Champion's stamina, strength and speed were on full exhibition as we are treated to why "Rush" is scientifically proven to be one of the pound for pound best and one of the most well-rounded fighters in the sport. 

Takedowns, punches, kicks, combos and even his infamous superman punch, were all studied and all noted for their speed and power. 

Now slated to defend his title for a seventh time against Carlos Condit at UFC 137, its hard to imagine what new aspect of his game he'll show off this time. 

B.J. Penn's RNC

When former UFC Welterweight and Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn dropped in at the Sport Science lab, he provided one of the most memorable moments in Sport Science history. 

While choking out an opponent via rear naked choke may require less force than it requires to crush an egg, "The Prodigy" showed why he can do it 34 times more than that.

Learning about the lack of oxygen, damage to the brain function, muscle movement, cardiovascular and the nervous systems all caused by a rear naked choke are interesting and all, it all can't top Penn choking out host John Brenkus.

"Did I get choked out?"

You sure did fool!