Jon Jones – The People’s Champion and possible greatest of all time?

Jon Jones UFC 172

 

Denial is the first step to admittance. Reading this you might think that you have logged onto an addiction treatment facility, but fret not – you are fine. Unless you know that Fight Hub has some of the best MMA & Boxing content around and you need a daily or multi daily fix. Its ok; we won’t tell anyone.

Since capturing the belt from Mauricio Rua and began a dominant run as UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon “Bones” Jones has stirred many discussions and debates among media, fighters, and fans who would try and either breakdown or build up his skills and accomplishments. I myself have made his wins and techniques a standard platform to bash and try and negate for no reason other than I felt his arrogance and haughtiness should be checked at the door and he should have taken on the “humble man” approach. He has never been shy to discuss his attitude and welcomes the hate from the fans and others, letting us know he is unapologetically himself and won’t change.

Winning the belt and becoming the youngest UFC champion at 23, Jones was put on a platform that would break others. Fame, accomplishment, endorsements, sponsorships and the limelight; it all took a backseat every time the cage locked and the referee signaled the clock to start. Not only winning and retaining his belt (a record seven consecutive times), Jones has only began to evolve into his own and look to be the most entertaining and talented fighter we have seen in the world of mixed martial arts.

Look at who he has fought and how he has handled them. Such as his fight with powerhouse puncher Quinton “Rampage” Jackson which saw him dictate the pace and ultimately submit him with ease in the fourth round; Lyoto Machida was set to be the most puzzling opponent for him when they met and given the first round saw some strikes land on Greg Jackson’s champion; Jones walked away after dropping a limp Brazilian in the second frame. Rashad Evans had nothing to offer the former training partner either for five rounds when they danced; Vitor Belfort almost secured an armbar but later tapped himself when an americana wrapped around “The Phenom”; Chael Sonnen was outclassed from the jump and was finished within the first five minutes at UFC 159.

Appearing as an unstoppable entity, Jones had been feeding off of former champions and title contenders since his reign began in March 2011. Enter: Alexander Gustafsson – Swedish striker who had power and size to finally test the merit of the preacher’s son. Back and forth, punch for punch, kick for kick – these warriors put on an entertaining and classic title bout that is hard to top. As the judge’s decision was announced, crowds in attendance and watching around the world groaned as “AND STILL” was declared; they had become tired of the smug demeanor and cocky words that came from Jones’ lips and wanted someone to end this run. Watching the fight, it could be hard to argue a unanimous decision win for him but he did undoubtedly win against his toughest opponent to date. Rematch talk looming and now on the horizon, will he be able to claim victory again after another war or will it be finished earlier in the match?

Last Saturday as he battered and dictated Glover Teixeira, every minute that ticked it became apparent that Jones is the best in the world. Regardless of weight class and technical fighting, he has proven that his mind and confidence is his biggest weapon. Tying up Teixeira early in the first against the cage, an arm crank that seemingly damaged the right shoulder of his opponent and throwing his mind frame off all fight, Jones broke the will and mental edge of who was in front of him and used the next four rounds to remind the man across from him, opponents (past & future) and the world – there is a reason he is who he is and done what he has done.

Who will be the one to defeat and dethrone the New York native? Everyone does have a “puncher’s chance” when they enter into the fight but honestly – who is left? Gustafsson will come back with a different game plan as will Jones and in the end, Jones wins that fight every day; Daniel Cormier has one punch knockout power but the reach and height difference will allow “Bones” to find range and pick him apart from the outside before finishing or riding to another point victory; Dan Henderson is not getting any younger and the H-Bomb is his only chance against him. Ultimately, we may be witnessing another Silva legacy where the end could be his attitude against another hungry challenger.

Opinions aside, look at the facts. Jon Jones is one of the best to ever compete and we cannot change that. If any of us were on the same stage he is, it would be difficult to say we would not be the same. Confidence can be a drug, addicting and dangerous depending on how one uses it; flip side – it motivates us to become the best we can and deafening the echoes of those speaking against us.