Perhaps the most compelling UFC division is Light Heavyweight.
There is a charismatic young champion and several, competent challengers who have title experience.
Jon Jones, quite simply put, is the LeBron James of the UFC.
His talent is unmatched and his work ethic will keep him in the upper echelon of the division for years to come. He has the potential to clear the 205 division the way that Anderson Silva at 185 or Georges St. Pierre at 170 has. His biggest competitor may be himself.
Jones is being pulled, prodded and stretched so thin by the UFC marketing department that we are not sure if training will and defense of title fall into second place behind being an entertainer and icon.
But this threat is impossible to measure because some handle it effortlessly while others wilt just as effortlessly under immense pressure and success.
Jones’s biggest tangible threat is Rashad Evans.
Evans is the most all-around fighter in the world.
Jones can be had standing up if you can get inside of his long arms. That’s Evans advantage and that’s where he can garner a win at UFC 145. Evans and Jones are equal wrestlers but Jones length will be a situation for Evans.
Though we haven’t yet seen Jones defending from his back against a legitimate opponent.
The match-up between Evans vs Jones leaves UFC fans salivating because of the possibility of a great fight.
If Jones gets past Evans, there is Dan Henderson in his wake.
Henderson is a great fighter and has been a great fighter for a long period of time. In the words of Allen Iverson “You better check his resume.”
Henderson’s knockout of Michael Bisping’s is perhaps the best ever. There lies the problem for Jon Jones. Henderson’s one punch knockout power is a threat to anyone, especially an improving striker like Jones.
There are also talented up and coming fighters, Phil Davis and Ryan Bader. Though he was dominated by Evans and not ready to be a prime time fighter, he’ll be back on the scene. He is a very good fighter. Bader is tough to read. But with his skill set I’m sure that he will be a contender for a long time.
There are the slightly over the hill fighters who have a long history of beating top talent and are still a compelling watch: Lyoto Machida, Rampage Jackson, Antonia Nogueira, Rich Franklin and Forest Griffin.
Finally, there is Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Shogun is a grown man. He has the Matt Hughes circa 2010 feel to him. Where he realizes that he will probably never be champion but will continue piling up victories.
Light heavyweight, despite Chael Sonnen’s constant degredation, maybe the best division in the UFC. It features a perfect mix of youth, veterans and talented fighters that hate each other.
I’ll turn on my television and tune in to watch the possible beat downs.
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