UFC on FOX: 10 Reasons Jon Jones Isn't Sweating Rematch with Lyoto Machida

Saturday night featured a stunning knockout performance by Lyoto Machida.

Machida’s knockout victory over Ryan Bader earned “The Dragon” a title shot for the UFC Light-Heavyweight Title. He will face the winner of September’s bout of Jon Jones and Dan Henderson.

It will be Machida’s second title shot since he lost the Light-Heavyweight Title.

If it happens to be Jones/Machida 2, it won’t be pretty for the No. 1 contender. Here are 10 reasons why Jon Jones isn’t worried about a potential rematch with Lyoto Machida.

*Stats are from ufc.com

10. Striking Ability

Jones and Machida can hold their own as they are both great strikers.

They’re also some of the most unorthodox. Jones and Machida can pull off some of the most amazing strikes in the UFC.

Machida’s karate background provides a new facet of MMA. However, Jones can hit strikes from nearly every position.

Machida landed 439 strikes of 765 attempted in his career. Jones landed 467 of 911 attempted strikes. Jones throws more due to his reach advantage of 84.5 inches.

He can easily control the fight with his reach, let alone his other abilities. 

9. Takedown Ability

Both men have great takedown defenses as well as the same grappling ability.

Machida avoids 83 percent of strikes, while Jones has avoided being taken down at all in the UFC. Jones’s takedown defense is just as unorthodox as his striking.

He seemingly cannot be taken down. Additionally, Jones lands more takedowns than Machida, 41 percent of Jones’s takedown to Machida’s 26 percent.

Jones has to believe he is the better grappler than Machida. Even though Machida is tough to take down, Jones has the ability to keep him on the mat. 

8. Strategy

Strategy should be simple for both men. However, it’s a case of easier said than done.

Speculation could have Machida favor standing up and knocking out Jones to regain his title. Jones, on the other hand, should want to control the fight.

We all recall Jones’s dismantling of his opponents (Ryan Bader, Quinton Jackson, Shogun, etc.).

The Light-Heavyweight Champion would love to control the fight just as he’s done in these past title defenses.

7. Conditioning

Both men can go five rounds. We’ve seen them go the distance and win their matches.

Machida defeated Shogun in a successful title defense. Jones controlled and embarrassed Rashad Evans for five rounds in his last title defense.

Both have no problem going to five rounds. For Jones, he should be extremely confident in outlasting Machida.

In Machida’s fight, Shogun almost won that fight. He controlled Machida and caused a debate amongst fans whether Machida should have remained champion at the time.

Jones mastered his fight with Evans, doing enough to make Evans susceptible to his strategy.

Jones should have no problem going the distance with Machida.

6. Motivation

Machida is definitely motivated to become champion again. For Jon Jones, it means more.

Jones wants to be the best in his division, and he’s proven that thus far. He considers himself to be the best of his generation and his division.

In a press conference for UFC 145, he said he wants to have fun and be the best Jon Jones he can be. 

Make no mistake though. Many fans consider Jones the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.

If Jones wants to continue being the best fighter possible, he would want to dominate Machida. 

5. Records

Both men have impressive records, but Jones’s list of opponents dominates Machida’s.

Machida has victories over Bader, Evans and Shogun. So does Jones.

In fact, Jones has an impressive list of fighters that have succumbed to him.  In fact, he made Bader tap out and defeated Shogun to take the title.

Other fighters he’s defeated include Brandon Vera, “Rampage” Jackson and Machida himself.

No one has finished Jones in a fight. The only blemish on his record is a loss to Matt Hamill via disqualification.

Fans might doubt Machida being able to regain the title from Jones. 

4. The "Bones" Division

Jon Jones might as well rename the light-heavyweight division after himself.

Who is left to face Jones? Machida is getting another shot at Jones, but it shows how the light-heavyweight division is running out of depth.

Jones hasn’t faced Henderson yet. Plus, Jones also hasn’t fought former champion Forrest Griffin.

It’s also been reported by The Los Angeles Times Jones does not want to fight Anderson Silva.

If Jones defeats Machida, expect more rematches in the light-heavyweight division.

3. Victories

It’s not just the number of victories, but the way Jones wins.

Jones has finished nearly every of his challengers. He’s made Bader, Machida and Rampage submit. He finished Shogun in an amazing TKO.

Jones can finish off any fighter with a variety of weapons. He has knockout power and can pull off submissions with ease.

Jones has the ability to finish off his enemies in his way. He dictates the pace and finishes challengers to his title.

It shouldn’t matter how Jones wants to finish his opponents. As long as he does, it’s fine by him.

2. Jones/Machida 1

Their first matchup provided good memories for Jones.

Jones easily controlled Machida in that fight and cut the champion with an elbow. He then slapped a standing guillotine choke, forcing Machida to sleep.

Jones’s impressive victory last April proved he would be unstoppable. He has the psychological edge on Machida.

Jones must remember how he finished him. That gives Jones that edge. He must not let Machida regain that same edge.

1. Confidence

Because of their past encounter, Jones has that confidence that still remains with the Light-Heavyweight Champion.

It’s not just Machida’s victory that should have Jones looking forward to their rematch, but the other victories and strategies that Jones uses to win.

He dominates his opponents and is your UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion.

Jones needs to keep that confidence in his reign as champion.  It’s that confidence which allows Jones to be the best of the best on any given night.