Brock Lesnar is the most polarizing person in the UFC. Known for imposing size, dominant wrestling and brash attitude inside the cage, the former WWE star is also the UFC’s biggest draw. But Lesnar’s most recent fights have seen his c…
Jon Jones may just be another kid from New York, but what defines him are his accomplishments and persona that have landed the 23-year-old a place amongst the best in the world in mixed martial arts. He is the current Light Heavyweight UFC Champion aft…
Jon Jones may just be another kid from New York, but what defines him are his accomplishments and persona that have landed the 23-year-old a place amongst the best in the world in mixed martial arts. He is the current Light Heavyweight UFC Champion after winning the belt from Mauricio “Shogun” Rua this past March and is currently the youngest champion in UFC history.
When defining a champion, one has to look at a few factors.
By sheer numbers, your opponents you fought play a role, as well as the means in which you came out victorious. Beyond the arena, fans and critics alike look at a fighter’s character and demeanor to determine if they act like a champion.
Lastly, after winning the title, many believe that in order to be considered a “true” champion, you must defend your title at least once. The UFC Light Heavyweight division is one that has proven to be very difficult to stay on top of. No champion in the division since 2007 has won the title and then successfully defended it against their next opponent (a different one in Lyoto Machida’s case).
In less than five years, the belt has gone to seven different people. Time will tell if he will be the one to break the trend and continue to hold the belt, but from what he has shown us so far, it is not as implausible as one might believe.
Number of People To Hold Title in Last 5 Years
Heavyweight: 4
Light Heavyweight: 7
Middleweight: 1
Welterweight: 3
Lightweight: 3
When you look at the defining features of a champion, it very much reflects the fighter that Jonny “Bones” Jones has become. From his unorthodox striking to his humble nature, he truly represents the sport well. His friendly nature, spirituality and athleticism are nothing short of inspiring for other fighters.
Jones says that watching other 23-years-olds become successful in this sport motivated him, and it helped him believe in himself. Inadvertently or not, he has become that role model himself.
The tattoo he dons on his chest says it all: “Philippians 4:13” which means, “I can do all things through Christ whom strengthens me.” Religious fans or not, he sets a great example for many. Because of his talents and overall demeanor, he becomes a great ambassador for the sport as well.
For an individual who has climbed the ladder so quickly, he remains full of energy and drive. His fighting is something to behold, after getting past the humble personality. Currently having the longest arm-reach in UFC history, his unorthodox striking mixed with his experience in wrestling creates a very well-rounded fighter after factoring in his continuing study of jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai.
His creativeness in the cage has proven to many to be an enigma on how to handle the 6’4’’ Jones. Currently with the record of 13 wins and one loss, he has skyrocketed himself onto the pound-for-pound top-10 lists and will surely climb the ranks as time goes on.
More bewildering than anything, Jones is nowhere close to his ability summit. Many people can build their legacy to a point, but Jones is a carpenter with a shopping spree to Home Depot.
Whether his next fight is taking on Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Phil Davis or any other top contender, his legacy will once again continue to build toward one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
Where people whose abilities are described as “the sky’s the limit, Jonny “Bones” Jones has the potential to break free of the atmosphere.
EPISODE ONE of “Defining a Champion” Series:Jon Jones
A couple of times a year it is important to take a close look at who the young up and comers are in the sport.Although it is a sport that is in it’s infancy, time can pass quite quickly for those of us paying close attention.We have seen tons of young …
A couple of times a year it is important to take a close look at who the young up and comers are in the sport.
Although it is a sport that is in it’s infancy, time can pass quite quickly for those of us paying close attention.
We have seen tons of young dynamos rise up and entrench themselves into the spotlight, but for every batch maturing into veterans, there is a new batch hungrier and more talented than the last.
Some are practically veterans by the age of 25, while others are hot prospects with unlimited potential.
These are the top 25 MMA athletes that are 25 years or younger.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.Maybe that’s why the big entrance is such an interesting part of fight night. Though obviously secondary to, you know, the fight, a good entrance energizes the fighter and his team, whips…
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Maybe that’s why the big entrance is such an interesting part of fight night. Though obviously secondary to, you know, the fight, a good entrance energizes the fighter and his team, whips the crowd into a frenzy and maybe even psyches out the enemy.
And the biggest part of that entrance is the song. The guy up in row double-Z can’t see your menacing scowl (and neither can your opponent, for that matter), but they can darn sure hear your anthem.
What makes a great entrance song? Clearly, music is completely subjective at the end of the day. In general, a great walkout song pumps you up, but that doesn’t mean that loudest is always best.
Great UFC entrance songs do intimidate, though, as well as offer some kind of a window into a fighter’s personality or style. And, of course, a great entrance song should really be original, because then it’s a signature song, and not just some regurgitation of the leftovers from an old halftime show.
So with all those criteria in mind, here are my submissions for the 50 best entrance songs in UFC history. Lots of weight classes and music genres represented.
Remember that the rankings aren’t directly related to a fighter’s ability or accomplishments, so save the questions about why DeMarques Johnson is ranked above Rich Franklin, and so on.
In some cases, I listed multiple fighters under one entrance song, though in others I only listed the fighter with whom the song is most closely associated.
I attempted to include walkout videos whenever possible, but failing that, I included a YouTube clip of a performance of the song.
Once again, this list is largely opinion-based. So if you’re looking for some kind of definitive formula for ranking walkout songs, then…well, good luck in your continued search. That said, if your favorite isn’t on here, let me know in the comments. And please enjoy.
When lightweights Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard battle it out for the third time at UFC 130, not only the title will be on the line but respect will be as well.It’s something neither of them really get, but as they continue to fight and beat the best,…
When lightweights Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard battle it out for the third time at UFC 130, not only the title will be on the line but respect will be as well.
It’s something neither of them really get, but as they continue to fight and beat the best, it should gradually come.
Whether or not the 10 fighters on this list are at the top of their divisions, they deserve more respect than they probably get.
Some are UFC champions or have been UFC champions and others number one contenders and title challengers.
They all deserve more recognition for fighting the best and leaving their mark in mixed martial arts.
