UFC 145 Results: Jon Jones Proves Supremacy with Huge Win over Rashad Evans

After one of the most evenly matched bouts of the year, the UFC 145 main event of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans went the distance before Jones was ultimately declared the winner.

While the match was very close, it was clear that the defending champion had won the bout, or at the very least, had done enough to get a split decision and retain the belt. Now that the always-tough Evans is out of the way (for now), where does Jones fall on the MMA P4P rankings?

The huge victory over a serious rival should have the voters taking notice. As good as Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre are, it’s hard to argue that either of the men in front of him on the P4P rankings can stay ahead of him after this latest win.

ESPN describes why Jones is No. 3 on the MMA P4P rankings before his fight with Evans. Add in the victory, and there is no doubt that the young star will be climbing.

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After going 4-0 in 2011 against the 205-pound division's best, the champ asked for a few months off. Then he decided that was silly, and asked to get right back in there. Why? Because nobody has won back-to-back FOTY awards. (At least, not yet).

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Let’s call it right now, with two more successful title defenses in 2012, Jones would win Fighter of the Year, but he WILL NOT win if he only defends his belt one more time. FOTY can’t be handed to a man that fights twice in one year, it should be reserved for guys who fight three, four or even more times and go undefeated.

While he will not win FOTY with just seven months left on the 2012 calendar, he has much bigger plans than that. While St-Pierre recovers from knee injuries and Silva prepares for his toughest test against Chael Sonnen, it should be Jones that catapults himself to No. 1 in the P4P rankings.

Plenty of talent at light heavyweight will have the 24-year-old star in no shortage of big moments as long as he has that belt around his waist. Judging from his fight with Rashad Evans, there is no reason to think Jones will be anything but a champion for a long time coming.

For those that questioned Jones’ abilities, please see exhibit A: UFC 145.

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