Predicting the First Fighter to Beat Jon 'Bones' Jones?

Last week I wrote that Jon "Bones" Jones is the next big thing.  

The responses I received ranged from the agreeable, to the mocking, to the downright hateful. And I like that. As an avid MMA fan, there’s nothing quite as satisfying—other than an action-packed fight, of course—than a spirited debate about any and all fight topics. So I figured a little more subjective analysis was in order to really stir the pot.  

Assuming my high opinion of "Bones" was way off the mark, the next logical question: Who is the fighter to beat him?  

He’s already disposed of top-10 light heavyweights Ryan Bader, Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida. And I’d be remiss if I failed to point out he disposed of them all with relatively minimal effort. Soon he’ll fight Rashad Evans, and beating an opponent like Evans is certainly not a predisposition of his destiny, but if he wins, who else is there to dethrone him? 

Let’s take a look.

First and foremost, we must look to Dan Henderson. Henderson’s mix of wrestling and power-bomb striking could be the formula for victory, and he can put out anyone’s lights if he finds the switch. However, Jones’ reach would be an obstacle, and his size advantage would tax Henderson’s gas tank. Still, though, if anyone can give Jones a war, it’s Dan Henderson.

How about Phil Davis? Doubtful. Davis is a talented prospect, but he showed against Evans that he’s not quite ready for the next level just yet. He will get better, but it’s disbelieving he’ll ever progress to the point where he can knock Jones off the top of the mountain. He just has not taken to the game as well or as quickly as Jones.

If Gegard Mousasi ever comes to the UFC he would make an interesting challenger, and in a kickboxing match he would probably take the young Jones to school. However, he lacks the wrestling chops to give Jones a serious run in MMA.  

Alexander Gustafsson? Don’t laugh—this kid is progressing amazingly. He’s showing a very nice killer instinct, and even though his reach isn’t as great as Jones, he’s slightly taller and he uses movement and angles that could throw Jones off. His wrestling is very underrated, but he’s not on Jones’ level in that regard. One day, perhaps. Right now, negative. Although at only 25 years old, these two guys are going to be atop the light- heavyweight division for some time to come.

If King Mo doesn’t tweet his way out of Zuffa’s good graces, he could present a decent match due to his wrestling prowess, but the rest of his game is nowhere near Jones’.

That’s really about it as far as established 205-pounders go. Jones has already beaten the rest.

It’s imperative to note that any one of the aforementioned fighters can beat Jones with a well-placed punch. That’s a harsh reality of strapping little gloves on big guys and allowing them to punch each other in the face.

That’s a scenario, however, that everyone in the sport is susceptible to. That’s not a specific opponent.

Sure, anything can happen in the future. Right now there’s a kid in some gym in parts unknown. He’s training his heart out, and he’s hungry. Jones was that guy. So was every other great fighter at one point. And that kid will come along one day and beat Jon Jones.

Until then, though, right now there is only one person who can defeat Jon Jones, and that’s Jon Jones.

It only takes buying into one’s own hype a little bit to lose that focus and get zapped. Just ask Georges St-Pierre about that.