Jon Jones is a once-in-a-lifetime type of athlete, and there isn’t one fighter on the planet who can replace his divisional dominance and overall marketability.
But until the former (that’s weird to say) light heavyweight champion makes his UFC return, or if he does at all, the promotion will be forced to fill the colossal void forged by his immature actions.
And considering the UFC has found difficulty over the past few years in successfully replacing former cash cows like Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva, Jones’ absence may prove to be harsh for an organization dedicated in rapid expansion.
However, the UFC is not and never will be a one-man show. There are a select group of current titleholders and formidable top contenders capable of picking up the slack.
Here are five of those fighters, whom the UFC can turn to in the dawn of a new age.