Sunday, March 20, 2011

Jon Jones Reigns Supreme

Jon Jones notched the signature win of his young and burgeoning career with a dominant performance, taking down MMA legend Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the third round. With exceptional reach, height, quickness, striking and wrestling, Jones' potential seems to be limitless. Jones has yet to be hurt inside the cage.
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(Jones and Rua stare down)

A state and junior college wrestling champion, Jon Jones switched to MMA in 2008. He began at Team Bombsquad, Jones rattling off 6 straight wins in regional East Coast promotions before getting signed by the UFC. Entering the UFC on a tear, Jones notched two dominant decisions off BJJ standout Andre Gusmao and the uber tough Stephan Bonnar.
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(Jones hits a picture perfect suplex)

After taking out Jake O'Brien with a guillotine, Jones hit his first bump in the road in MMA. While dominating Matt Hamill, Jones threw a series of 12-6 elbows to Hamill's head. With some getting through, Jones was DQ'd and suffered his first loss.
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(Jones throwing a spinning back elbow)

Jones bounced back with first round TKO's of Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko. While getting ready for a fight with undefeated TUF 8 winner Ryan Bader, Jones was told the winner of the fight would fill in for the injured Rashad Evans for the title.
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(Jones nasty GNP against Vera)

After a switch to Team Jackson, Jones came out taking down Bader, an All-American wrestler at Arizona State University. In the third round, Jones was able to latch on a modified guillotine from top position, catapulting him into the number one contender spot.
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(Throwing a punch against Bader)

The rest is history, as Jones has become the youngest UFC champion in history. With uncanny quickness and athletic ability, Jones seems to get progressively better in each outing. His next move will be fighting mentor and teammate Rashad Evans. If he gets by Evans, the next logical move would be a fight with Rampage Jackson.
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(Jones throwing a knee)

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