The light heavyweight division got its best fighter back with Jon Jones’ reinstatement in the UFC. Having never actually lost the belt in competition, Jones can be considered the lineal champion, although Daniel Cormier stepped up to win the vacant title after it was stripped from Bones. Now, the stage has been set for a rematch between the two, who already have a heated rivalry.
From Jones’ Facebook on October 23:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to resume my career and I am excited to show how much I’ve grown as a person outside of the octagon. It took me losing almost everything I had worked for to realize how much I had. I am blessed and humbled by the continued support of the MMA community and I can’t thank my fans enough for their unwavering support through my ups and downs. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life and my career and let me assure you, the best is yet to come.”
First, let’s hope that Jones has truly turned a corner and put his well-documented struggles with substance abuse behind him. Because we still don’t know what a truly dedicated Bones can accomplish, and that is just scary given what he’s already achieved.
His resume is filled with the scalps of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division: Ryan Bader, Shogun Rua, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Glover Teixeira, Alexander Gustaffson and Daniel Cormier. That’s not just a murderer’s row, that’s everybody who’s anybody at 205.
With the exception of Gustaffson, none of those fights were particularly close. And there were numerous reports that he barely trained for that fight. If that’s true, it means he completely overlooked one of the division’s best guys and still beat him.
Jones is a generational talent - an unprecedented blend of freak physical attributes, high fight IQ and elite all-around skill. We have never seen somebody like him in MMA, which makes watching his bouts a true privilege for fans. You don’t have to like him as a person, but as a fighter he makes you respect him.
What’s more, he completes the light heavyweight division. Daniel Cormier, the current champion, knows as well as anyone that his title reign comes with an asterisk until he can beat the man that never really lost the title. DC’s fight with Johnson to win the belt and his defense against Gustaffson all took place in the shadow of Jones, a position that he’s no doubt eager to escape from. For Cormier, beating Jones is his shot at greatness, because becoming the man to dethrone one of the best ever is how you cement a legacy.
BET ON UFC FIGHTS NOW
Bookmaker guarantees the latest odds, money lines, over/unders, prop bets and more for you to bet on all your favorite fighters. With nearly 45 total events scheduled for 2015, you’ll never be short of options in the UFC odds. And with Bookmaker’s quick and easy payout options, you’re winnings are always close at hand.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at Bookmaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with Bookmaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available by clicking here so start betting with Bookmaker today!
