Jon “Bones” Jones has become the object of limb envy in some quarters, where the UFC light heavyweight champion is denied recognition that he truly is armed with both the size and the right motion in the ocean of MMA fighting.
Some even preach the ridiculous view that Jones’ height and reach advantage is the only thing going for him—that if it weren’t for those poles stretching out of his shoulders and hips, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
No UFC belt nor a great 2011 hit-and-run over former title holders Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida would exist if it wasn’t for that God-given physiological advantage.
He would not have succeeded with that TKO due to strikes, that rear-naked choke and that standing guillotine choke, respectively, if it wasn’t for that and that alone.
No, he wouldn’t be even attempting—much less landing—those spinning elbows and kicks and aerial knees.
Well, haters will always find reasons to hate.
Unfortunately for them, Jones has shown no inclination towards self-mutilation. He is content receiving the minimal pain delivered by his opponents throughout his 15-1 fight record. (This notwithstanding the widely accepted opinion that Machida tickled him much more than the others, until the fire-breathing stopped for The Dragon in the second round.)
No way will he sever his arms and legs and reduce them to stumps, down to average light heavyweight length (whatever that is) just to level the playing field—just to prove the vanishing but still lingering tribe of naysayers wrong.
Anyway, this spiteful tribe will either go the way of the dodo next year or live out their frustration for a decade.
Jones is simply that good—an understatement—and he’s here to overstay.
Jones may be the antithesis of Mini-Me, but he is just as dangerous—maybe even more.
And if ever Jones shrinks to the same height, reach and weight of Frankie Edgar, he’ll be the first UFC Champion to capture both the light heavyweight and featherweight belts.
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