Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson: Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has many challengers gunning for his throne, and among them is Swedish star Alexander Gustafsson. Many fans have pondered their matchup since Gustafsson has gotten hot, wondering if he could dethrone the king.

Jones is currently lined up to face top contender Dan Henderson at UFC 151. After that, the next top-contender spot is up in the air for anybody to grab. Possibly, Gustafsson could earn the next shot.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown between "Bones" and "The Mauler" if they were to meet somewhere down the road.

Striking

Alexander Gustafsson's boxing is superior to many in the light heavyweight division, but Jon Jones' all-around striking arsenal may be among the best in mixed martial arts.

Gustafsson has nine career knockouts with his explosive hands. He has knocked out Jared Hamman, Matt Hamill and Vladimir Matyushenko in his UFC tenure, which proves he can knock out high-level opponents.

Jones is undoubtedly one of the most creative and dynamic strikers in MMA. He owns eight knockout victories in his career, not to mention the submissions he has set up with his dangerous striking.

Among his knockout victims are Matyushenko, Mauricio Rua and Brandon Vera. That is a pretty impressive resume, which helps earn him the advantage.

Edge: Jones

Wrestling

I see no competition here. Jon Jones is one of the best MMA-style wrestlers in the game today, and Alexander Gustafsson is weak in that department.

Gustafsson's only loss came to a wrestler, Phil Davis. Jones' only loss is a disqualification and has shown that wrestling is a strength.

Advantage, champion.

Edge: Jones

Grappling/Submissions

Alexander Gustafsson is a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is very underrated in his submission game. He has not shown a great range of submissions, though, as all three of his tapouts have come by rear-naked choke.

Jones' grappling is a wrestling-heavy attack with vicious ground-and-pound. He is also very skilled with his submissions. 

He has a nasty guillotine choke that can be used in a variety of ways. If he slaps that on Gustafsson, it will be night-night for the Swede.

Edge: Jones

Intangibles

Jon Jones' experience in big fights and against a higher of level competition is a big advantage for the champion.

He has beaten at least four top-five opponents in his career (Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans).

Also, Jones' reach, as usual, will be an advantage for him. He will have at least a seven-inch reach on Alexander Gustafsson, in addition to quickness and athleticism. 

All in all, almost everything favors the champion if this fight were to happen.

Edge: Jones

Prediction

Like most of Jon Jones' opponents, I believe Alexander Gustafsson would be finished within three rounds. Jones is just too good and has the tools to expose Gustafsson's weaknesses.

I would expect Jones to meet Gustafsson in the stand-up department before using his wrestling to get the fight down. After the ground-and-pound process, Jones would get a shot at a submission.

Whether it's a guillotine or a rear-naked choke, Jones would cinch it in and finish the fight. 

Prediction: Jones def. Gustafsson via submission