Is Jon Jones The Greatest UFC Champion Of All-Time?
As sports fans, we are always quick to compare triumphs and athletes. We spend countless hours arguing whether the New England Patriots is the best team in the NFL Super Bowl odds of all time, or whether Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is the best footballer on the planet. It’s in our nature, and we can’t avoid these discussions, after all, it is what makes the sport so unique; the debate that it opens up.
The debate regarding the best UFC champion of all-time was opened up again following Jon Jones’ win via decision against Thiago Santos to retain his Light Heavyweight Championship and maintain his 25-1 record in the UFC. The only defeat of his career came after Matt Hamill won following a DQ. And still, Jones continues to divide opinion in the MMA world.
The most overwhelming reason for this is due to his drugs bans that he served in 2016 and 2017, along with the undeniable personal problems that he has let affect not only his career but the business as a whole. His arrest in 2015 for driving under the influence prompted the only UFC event to be cancelled in the history of the company. However, his talents in the octagon are undeniable, and a certain Conor McGregor only matches the star power that he brings.
The irony of Jon Jones’ career is that only one man has been able to stop him, and that is himself. His integrity in the octagon comes into question due to his actions of poking opponents in the eye to find his range as well as the usage of his elbows. But, he is still rightly talked about as being one of the best; it does make you question that the discussion could be non-existent if it weren’t for these blemishes.
Jon Jones’ Stunning Performance and Skills
Jones became the youngest ever UFC champion when he was 23-years-old. No fighter has equaled his 14-match win record in the UFC. Furthermore, he is now tied with Georges St Pierre for the most successful title matches at 13; a record that he’ll beat should he stay on the clear path for the next year.
Without a doubt, Jones is the perfect fighter for UFC. He has a God-given size that makes him an animal in the octagon. His impressive range gives him the advantage of being able to dictate any contest. This isn’t even noting his superior quickness, offence and takedown defence that means even his plan B is better than most fighters plan A.Â
His Muay Thai is breath-taking, and his spinning elbows are a thing of pure beauty. His tactical awareness in the octagon has ensured that he is the best. He is knowledgeable at creating distance between his opponent when he needs it. Then he wears them down and takes them apart piece by piece through his long arsenal of moves.
Jones is Indomitable
There is no area of weakness in Jones’ game. This is contrasting to other champions that will be talked about in the same breath. McGregor’s inability to deal with Khabib Nurmagomedov showcased his vulnerability to a grappler, showcasing how one weak point can change the course of a legacy. Jones has dealt with every type of opponent, and not only this, but he has managed comfortably.
In fact, it wasn’t until the Santos fight that a judge had given the fight to one of Jones’ opponents. That is an unbelievable fact, with the UFC being the highest end of competition for MMA. However, Jones could remain unbeaten for the remainder of his career. But there will still be doubters of whether he is the best ever. For instance, McGregor is the biggest box office attraction the UFC has ever seen, while Ronda Rousey transcended the sport and was called the first real superstar in the UFC by Dana White himself.
Still, in terms of performance in the octagon; nobody can lay a glove on Jon Jones. He is the greatest fighter to ever compete in the UFC.
