There are many adjectives that come to mind when describing Jon Jones, but no word stands out more than “dominant.”
The 24-year-old UFC light heavyweight champion has been nothing short of that and looks to prolong his current title reign when he faces the elusive, karate-based counter-striker, Lyoto Machida, at UFC 140 next weekend. Jones will be competing for the fourth time this year and in his second title defense in less than 11 weeks.
Jones’ unprecedented rise to the top of the 205-pound division has been remarkable, and what has contributed to his success thus far is his superior skill-set and modest personality. Surely, Jones is confident in his abilities as a mixed martial artist but he still remains humble because of his religious upbringing.
There has always been a sense of optimism when discussing Jones’ potential and talent, but no one expected him to reach the pinnacle of success in MMA when he captured the UFC light heavyweight title earlier this year in just his eighth UFC bout. It was arguably the defining moment in his career.
Jones’ ridiculous wingspan of 84.5 inches gives him an ability to utilize distance and angles like no other fighter. Combine his reach with his athleticism, strength and unorthodox yet effective striking and wrestling abilities, and he is an undeniable threat to his competition.
It’s scary to imagine what Jones will be capable of when he enters his prime in a few years, or even when he decides to move up to the heavyweight division. His recent performances indicate that he is one of the most impressive fighters to grace the Octagon.
He has already defeated two of the light heavyweight division’s top competitors in Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and he did it effortlessly and in the same year.
Unlike his predecessors, Jones has the potential to take the sport to new heights, and in turn, become one of the most successful fighters in UFC history. His combination of skill and intelligence is setting the tone for a new breed of fighters to enter into existence and to make Jones the new face of MMA.
There is no telling what the future holds for Jon Jones, but the present tells us that he is a unique talent destined for success and possesses all the tools to potentially become the most dominant champion in the UFC.
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