10 Reasons Jon Jones Should Move to Heayweight with a Win over Rashad Evans

The light heavyweight division was once considered the deepest in all of MMA. There were six UFC light heavyweight champions in under three years from 2008 to 2011. 

Then came Jon Jones. 

Jon "Bones" Jones has been simply dominant in his 10 appearances in the octagon. The only blemish on Jones' record came in a fight that was initially stopped as Jones was declared winner by total knockout over Matt Hammill.

Then after reviewing the stoppage on instant replay, the highly controversial rule of "illegal downward elbows" was implemented and Hammill was named the winner. 

 Although he looked somewhat human on his feet during Round 1 of his bout against Lyoto Machida, Jones quickly showed why he is undoubtedly the most dominant mixed martial artist at 205 pounds and submitted Machida in Round 2.

Rashad Evans presents a unique challenge for Jones simply because the two fighters used to train together. If anybody is aware of any blemishes in Bones' repertoire, it would be Evans. 

But with a victory at UFC 145, Jones should consider the light heavyweight division to be conquered and take on the next challenge. 

Here are 10 reasons why the timing will then be right for Jones to make the move to the UFC heavyweight division.  

He Will Have Already Defeated the Toughest Competition at Light Heavyweight

Jones has stopped three former UFC light heavyweight champions in his last three fights. If he defeats Evans, then he will have taken out four former UFC light heavyweight champions.

He has such a vast skill set and is so athletically superior to his opponents at 205 pounds that at times it looks like he is playing a video game with the degree of difficulty set on easy.

Jones dominated Mauricio Rua for three rounds before it was stopped by total knockout. He was equally dominant versus Rampage for four rounds and became the first person to submit Rampage in 10 years. Lyoto Machida did give Jones problems on his feet during Round 1 of their bout, but Machida still didn't make it out of Round 2 against the champion. 

If Jones earns his fourth win over a former UFC light heavyweight champion, then why not move on to the next challenge and see how many former UFC heavyweight champions he can defeat? 

There Are No Other Contenders at Light Heavyweight

If Jon Jones defeats Rashad Evans, then Jones will have defeated every other fighter currently ranked in top five at light heavyweight with the exception of Dan Henderson. 

Phil Davis, who was recently dominated by Rashad Evans, would be the next highest-ranked opponent after Henderson yet to face Jones, followed by Thiago Silva. 

Unless there are some unknown fighters that are yet to break into the UFC, there will no legitimate threats to Jones left at the 205-pound division.  

The Heavyweight Division Is Deeper Than It Has Ever Been

With the purchase of Strikeforce and rise of new stars at heavyweight over the past few years, the UFC heavyweight division is deeper than it has ever been. Not only would Jones make the division even deeper, but now would be the perfect time to set up some superfights with Jones against some of the division's current stars.  

While the UFC would be scrambling to find Jones some suitable competition at 205 pounds, Cain Velazquez, Junior Dos Santos, Alistar Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Shane Carwin or Frank Mir versus Jon Jones would all be highly anticipated matchups. 

His Height and Length Are Suitable for Heavyweight

Jon Jones is 6'4" and has the longest reach in UFC history at 84.5 inches. The taller fighters in the heavyweight division would still has a reach disadvantage versus Jones.

However, they are better equipped to fight Jones than the shorter, light heavyweight fighters that Jones has picked apart for the past few years. 

We Could Find out If Jones Could Handle the Strikes of an Elite Heavyweight

If Jones defeats Rashad Evans, then he will have recorded back to back victories against two of the world's best strikers. Rashad Evans has some of the best knockout power in the sport while Lyoto Machida presents striking problems different than any other fighter. 

However, they are still light heavyweights. 

Could Jones handle the knees of Alistar Overeem that retired Brock Lesnar? 

Could he survive an onslaught of punches from Junior Dos Santos? 

Could he survive a combo that connects perfectly from Shane Carwin?

Only one way to find out.  

How Would Jones Do on the Ground Against the World's Most Dangerous Wrestlers?

Jon Jones has won his last two fights by submission and shown how his power and length make him just as dangerous on the mat as standing up. 

But how would his takedown defense fare against Cain Velazquez? 

Could he fight off submission attempts from Frank Mir?

Or Gabriel Gonzaga?

Or Fabricio Werdum?

Or Josh Barnett? 

Only one way to find out.

He Won't Have to Cut Weight

Jon Jones weighs 205 pounds the day before the fight, but it has been reported that his more natural weight is around 220 pounds. The weight limit at heavyweight is 265 pounds, so Jones would have no trouble making that. 

Many fighters have claimed that weight cutting is their least favorite aspect of the sport. I'm sure Jones wouldn't miss all the activities involved in cutting weight. 

He Is Still in His Youth

Jon Jones became the youngest UFC Champion ever when he defeated Mauricio "Shogun" Rua last March. With a victory over Rashad Evans and a third title defense, Jones will have mastered the 205-pound division by 23 years old. 

Still in his youth, the timing would be perfect to make the adjustment to heavyweight. He still has time to pack on the extra muscle needed to make the adjustment. 

If life as a heavyweight doesn't work out for Jones, then he is still young enough to come back to light heavyweight and dominate for a decade or so. 

Maybe Anderson Silva Would Jump to Heavyweight, Too

Anderson Silva's undefeated record in the UFC has included dominating everything the middleweight division has had to offer along with victories over current UFC light heavyweight's Dan Henderson, Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin.

Anderson Silva has fought at light heavyweight and there have been rumors that Silva would someday try his luck in the heavyweight division as well.

In the UFC heavyweight division, a superfight between Jon Jones and Anderson Silva at their natural weights could become a reality. 

Jones Could Join the Elite Group of Fighters to Hold Belts at Two Weight Classes

Only B.J. Penn and Randy Couture have won UFC championships at two different weight classes. Jones would surely like to add that to his résumé.

Most MMA critics consider George St. Pierre and and Anderson Silva to be the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but if Jon Jones were to win the UFC heavyweight belt then he would likely leap to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. 

And probably be considered the greatest MMA fighter of all time.