The Takedown | UFC 239: Jon Jones’ complicated legacy as the greatest MMA fighter of all time
- There is no denying Jones has earned the moniker, but his past indiscretions still haunt the icon
- A win this weekend over Thiago Santos would surely put an end to the debate, but will his image makeover ever feel complete?
If 31-year-old American UFC fighter Jon “Bones” Jones downs Brazilian Thiago Santos this weekend at UFC 239 in Las Vegas, there will be little room left for debate.
Jones will up his record to 25-1, with one no contest, and it should be noted his only loss was because of a disqualification for illegal use of elbows. UFC president Dana White dropped a bomb earlier this week, stating he was going to ask the Nevada State Athletic Commission to overturn the loss, which took place in 2009 against Matt Hamill and featured Jones pummelling the fighter for most of the first round.
Where that would leave the MMA world, if Jones beats Santos, is well into unequivocal territory: Jones will become the greatest MMA fighter of all time. This also leaves the sport in an unusual spot as Jones is also easily one of UFC’s most decisive and polarising figures.
The only fighter the UFC has atop Jones on its pound-for-pound rankings is Daniel Cormier, a fighter Jones has beaten twice, and would probably trounce again if there were a trilogy match. Statistically, Jones has the numbers to compete with Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva, but it’s in watching Jones where his case becomes strongest.
Jones’ last title defence was against Anthony Smith at UFC 235 in March, and saw the light heavyweight chop away at Smith like a lumberjack with his long legs, eating away at his foundation and then breaking his guard as Smith tried to stop a wave of onslaughts.