As elbow after elbow descended upon the face of Rashad Evans, Jon “Bones” Jones completed his ascent from UFC champion to MMA legend.
At just 24 years old, Jones has already accomplished feats that most mere mortals can only dream of.
In March 2011, he became the youngest champion in UFC history. Just over one year later, he’s made three successful title defenses, each one a dominant display of poetic violence.
Through 16 professional fights, Jones has never lost a round. He’s never even been taken to the ground. The lone blemish on his 15-1 record? A disqualification for throwing 12-to-6 elbows during his beatdown of Matt Hamill.
These accomplishments are absolutely mind-boggling considering the level of competition Jones has faced. In his last five fights, he’s completely ruined Ryan Bader, Shogun Rua, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida and now Rashad Evans. Only Evans made it to the final bell.
Next up is the ageless Dan Henderson, but not even the Greco-Roman wrestling god will be able to slow the phenom.
It’s obviously still early in his career, but Jones is already one of the most balanced fighters to ever step into the octagon.
He’s a master of tempo and pace, controlling every minute of every professional fight he’s been in. When he wants the fight to go to the ground, it goes to the ground. When he wants to stand up and swing, he stays on his feet and punishes opponents.
He’s a menace in the stand up game, using his ridiculous 84.5 inch reach to inflict damage from deep. In the submission game he’s even more deadly, putting opponents to sleep with guillotines or rear-naked chokes.
As good as he is now, it’s scary to think of what Jones will be capable of in the coming years. The distinction of “greatest fighter in MMA history” is certainly within reach.
Whatever happens, though, Jones has already cemented his status as an MMA legend, and no one can ever take that away from him.
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