Tito Ortiz, was, technically, the most dominant UFC light heavyweight champion in history.
Frank Shamrock had four title defenses, Chuck Liddell had four, Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida each had one.
Tito Ortiz had five. He is tied for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC history.
Ortiz also had three first round stoppages, and four stoppages total during that time.
Could Jon Jones tie, or even surpass Tito as the most dominant light heavyweight champion?
Yes, but difficult won’t come close to describing it.
Jones took the first step on Saturday night, by defeating Rampage Jackson via fourth round submission.
Next up is Rashad Evans, and should Jones defeat him, he will be the first man to successfully defend the light heavyweight title twice since 2005 and Chuck Liddell.
Getting through Rashad is easier said than done, but after him is likely to be the winner of Mauricio Rua and Dan Henderson. For argument’s sake lets say that it’s Henderson.
If he beats Henderson, it will be his third title defense. One more to tie him for second all time in the light heavyweight division.
Lyoto Machida is also likely in the mix, and could be in line after Hendo.
If he is able to defeat all four of them—five counting winning the title—he will have faced some of the stiffest competition in UFC history.
Who will have faced, and defeated, more dangerous competition consecutively?
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, a former UFC light heavyweight champion.
Rampage Jackson, a former UFC light heavyweight champion.
Rashad Evans, a former UFC light heavyweight champion.
Dan Henderson, a former Pride welterweight (183) and middleweight (205) champion, along with the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion.
Lyoto Machida, a former UFC light heavyweight champion.
If he defeats all of them, he’ll be one win away from tying Tito.
Aside from a rematch with one of the aforementioned fighters, likely candidates are Phil Davis, Gegard Mousasi, Muhammed Lawal, and Alexander Gustafsson.
If he gets through Rashad, Hendo and Machida, he is almost certain to pass Tito with the most consecutive defenses of the light heavyweight title.
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Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @tmt2393.
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