UFC 145: What Jon Jones Needs to Do to Defeat Rashad Evans

One of the most intense rivalries in recent years finally comes to a head at UFC 145 when former teammates Jon Jones and Rashad Evans face off for the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

All of the he said-he said banter will become irrelevant when the fighters settle their differences with four-ounce gloves in front of thousands of fans.

The two men men are equally confident coming into the bout which means one of them is set up for a major fall. Evans' confidence stems from the belief he knows everything about Jones and has the perfect counter for the UFC champ.

Jones, meanwhile, contends he's not the same fighter he was when the two trained together and plans on giving a beating to the challenger.

The main argument in this bout, it seems, is about how Jones will win, not if he will win. The vast majority of MMA fans and analysts are picking Jones to retain his title, and this is a fair assumption.

But just how will Jones retain his title and defeat his arch rival?

Key #1: Control the Distance

As Jon Jones knows, Rashad Evans' two best methods to victory lay in his powerful right hand and his wrestling ability.

To avoid both, Jones will need to control the distance. Generally, facing somebody who wishes to take him down, a fighter will avoid kicks to keep a strong base. However, Jones has to incorporate his kicks against Evans.

Jones' vast array of unorthodox strikes will keep Evans off-balance and keep the champion out of harm's way. Evans can't land any power strikes or secure a takedown if he's fighting on the outside.

Avoiding Evans' strengths will be key for Jones, and the champion can accomplish this by using his length and height to his advantage against the much smaller Evans.

Key No. 2: Stay in the Center of the Octagon

The greatest advantage for Jon Jones in this fight is undeniably his height and reach. At 6'4" with a 84.5" reach, Jones will tower over his opponent Rashad Evans.

In order to utilize his reach, Jones will need to keep his back away from the cage and off the mat. Using proper footwork and staying aware of where he is will be paramount for Jones.

The champion won't be able to get off those flashy strikes or keep Evans at bay if he backs straight up. By staying in the center of the Octagon, Jones can use his reach advantage and put himself in the best position to win.

Key No. 3: Stick to the Game Plan

Greg Jackson is known as one of the best coaches in the MMA world for a reason: his fighters win. Not only his knowledge of how to train his guys but his ability to construct perfect game plans has been a cornerstone of Jackson's MMA coaching career.

If Jon Jones wants to keep his title he will need to follow his coach's game plan to neutralize Rashad Evans.

Jones has been pretty good about not deviating from the game plans thus far in his career, but how much has Evans gotten inside the head of Jones? The normally stoic Jones was full of emotion at the weigh-ins and chose to face down his opponent rather than look away.

There will be moments when Evans tries his best to throw off Jones' mental state. Will the champion be able to keep his composure in the heat of battle?

Key No. 4: Kicks to the Head

We saw in Rashad Evans' last bout that he attempted to catch Phil Davis' leg kicks in order to secure a takedown. Jon Jones must mix up his kicks and attack the head of Evans.

If Evans reaches down to grab a leg kick and Jones goes high, it will be lights out for the challenger. It may create more openings in which Evans can maneuver if Jones misses, but the champion cannot afford to relinquish one of his greatest assets in his kicks.

By mixing up the attack, Evans will be forced to either block or check kicks, which puts him on the defensive—a place Evans doesn't want to find himself against Jones.