Issue 076

June 2011

At 23, Jones is the youngest UFC title holder ever – something he achieved after only 19 months in the organization. The Fighters Only universe discusses whether it’s too early to compare ‘Bones’ to Georges St Pierre and Anderson Silva

Richard Cartey

Associate Editor at Fighters Only magazine

YES

The hype’s justified not only because of what he has done, but what he can do. Jon Jones made his UFC debut with an undefeated record of 6-0 in August 2008 – only four months after his first professional bout. Think about that. Since then he’s sliced through experienced veterans, surging young guns and hardened champions. His 84.5-inch reach is longer than any other UFC fighter, even six-foot-eleven heavyweight Stefan Struve. Being not only well rounded, but able to dominate over other fighters’ strengths is worthy of plaudits. Jon Jones will (legitimately) lose one day; retirement is too far off. It’s what Jon Jones can do outside of the ring that’s really hype worthy: the UFC finally has a young, good looking, articulate, media-friendly (and, whisper it… American) 205lb champion with a story mainstream media love. The exposure and interest he can generate in MMA is immense. This is far from your average bandwagon.

Matt Mitrione

Rising 4-0 Roufusport UFC heavyweight

NO

Granted he’s really good, but he’s only had six or seven fights in the UFC. He’s dismantled all his opponents but he’s only just starting to get to the upper echelons of talent. He beat ‘Shogun’ but that could have been a one-off, horrible performance by Rua versus a completely dominant performance by Jon Jones. Fighters like Anderson Silva and GSP, they’ve fought the best talent over the past four years and consistently annihilated them, so I don’t think there’s an argument for comparing Jon Jones to GSP and Anderson Silva. Jake O’Brien won a round against Jon Jones and that was on the feet. He’s far away from clearing out the division, and 205lb is probably the second most competitive division next to 155. Furthermore he’s fought a couple of people that he made look terrible, but they were coming off long lay-offs and injuries. That’s a serious conversation to have there.

What you had to say on the matter ...

YES

@Jay_UTD_MMA

“I think he will rule for a long time. There has never been a champion 

like this in MMA. He is the Mike Tyson of mixed martial arts!”

NO

@biggmoe

“I like Jon Jones but a fighter’s ‘era’ should be defined by his history and accomplishments, as well as defending the title.”

NO

@eamonok

“It’s probably too early to say, but it’s tough to find anyone in the light heavyweight division to beat him. Who can? Not ‘Rampage,’ and I don’t think Evans can either!”

YES

@briNOLA

“I’d say that Jon Jones helped usher in an era of ‘new school’ fighters, for sure. UFC 128 was kind of a turning point for mixed martial arts.”