UFC 130 Results: How Does Rampage Jackson Stack Up against Jon Jones?

By defeating Matt Hamill, former light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson may just have secured himself as the first challenger against reigning champion Jon Jones.

Some have speculated that Jackson is not the same fighter he was when he claimed and defended the championship title, but by outclassing a surging Matt Hamill, Jackson proved he is still performing at the very top of the food chain.

That being said, how much of a threat does he pose to the phenom champion?

Jackson has the skill and power to take out any light heavyweight, but Jones has looked to be in a league of his own.

So how does Rampage stack up against Jones?

Let us take an in depth look at the matchup in the following categories on a scale of 10:

-Experience

-Size and Strength

-Striking

-Grappling

Experience

Vince Bucci/Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD - JULY 11: UFC fighter Quinton Jackson arrives at the 2007 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 11, 2007 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Jon Jones: 7

Rampage: 10

Jon Jones might be the most experienced 23-year-old that MMA has ever seen, but Jackson still gets the distinct edge here.

Jones has fought top of the line wrestlers and strikers, but Jackson has literally seen everything in 40 professional fights.

Jackson has fought sick, injured, defended a championship and defeated a wider range of adversaries.

Advantage: Quinton Jackson

Size and Strength

Jon Jones: 10

Rampage: 9

Absolutely two of the biggest and strongest light heavyweights competing today.

Although Jackson is known for ballooning up to nearly 250lbs when he is not training, Jones is the bigger man on fight night.

Jones often throws his opponents around like rag dolls and has the longest reach in the UFC.

He carries an advantage in this department over the entire UFC light heavyweight division, but Jackson reduces the gap on this advantage better than anyone.

Advantage: Jon Jones 

Striking

Jon Jones: 9

Power: 9

Versatility: 9

Timing/Accuracy: 7

Rampage: 8

Power: 9

Versatility: 6

Timing/Accuracy: 8

In the striking department, Rampage gets an advantage in having slightly cleaner technique.

Jones more than makes up for that disadvantage with his versatility, giving him a slight edge here.

Advantage: Jon Jones

Grappling

Jon Jones: 9

Clinch: 9

Takedowns/TD Defense: 10

Ground Skill/Submissions: 9

Rampage: 8

Clinch: 8

Takedowns/TD Defense: 9

Ground Skill/Submissions: 7

Rampage has terrific takedown defense, as evidenced by the victory over Hamill, but Jones probably has an edge over him in every aspect of grappling.

Jones diligently studies every aspect of the game, and that will give him an edge over Rampage when the two tie up.

Advantage: Jon Jones

Conclusion

Realistically, Jon Jones should be a distinct betting favorite over any potential challenger.

The most difficult thing at the highest levels of MMA, however, is consistency.

Rampage is performing at championship levels, and if Jones does slip up, he could be the one to make him pay for it. He certainly has the experience and power to back that up.

As long as he does not become complacent, you would have to imagine this is Jones's fight to win.

Jones Jones via TKO (exhaustion)