Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira have officially been set on a collision course.

UFC president Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva confirmed to UFC executive Marshall Zelanik that a win against Ryan Bader will give Teixeira the next title shot at 205 pounds. This according to Zelanik at the UFC 163 post-fight press conference.

Both men will enter their fights as significant favorites and should walk away with W's. That puts them in line for an early 2014 encounter for the light heavyweight title.

Teixeira is 4-0 in the UFC, and he is currently ranked as the No. 3 light heavyweight in the division. The champion has been virtually unstoppable in his MMA career. The title tilt would be one of the more exciting light heavyweight matchups in quite some time.

This is how the potential championship bout breaks down.

Striking

On the feet is where Teixeira will want this fight to take place. He is a heavy-handed fighter who loves to exchange. Jones will most likely be happy to oblige.

Jones is still developing his striking technique, and Teixeira's boxing is some of the best in the division. However, Jones has the edge because of other factors.

The champion is much more diverse with his striking. He doesn't rely solely on boxing. He uses excellent kicks and elbows. Probably none more effective than his side kicks to the quads. They are brutal. Yet, there is still one more area that gives Jones the edge.

His use of length.

Throughout his UFC tenure, Jones has made up for his lack of technique with his knowledge of utilizing distance. He is the absolute best in the world in that category. With the longest reach in the organization, and the skills to complement it, Jones' reach makes him a very difficult opponent to contend with.

Edge: Jones

Grappling

Jones' use of length does not only help his striking, but it makes him one of the best grapplers in the division as well.

Jones has a solid Greco-Roman wrestling background that has only gotten better inside the Octagon.

Teixeira is a solid grappler in his own right, but Jones' wrestling and length trumps what he brings to the table. He will want to avoid the clinch with Jones. It will almost assuredly end with Teixeira on his back.

Jones uses his long legs to trip his opponents very well. It is extremely hard to defend against as he is so good in the position. The champion holds a decided advantage in the grappling, and that will allow him to dictate where he wants to fight.

Edge: Jones

Submissions

Submissions is an interesting category to call.

Jones is still growing in his submission skills, but he has put away multiple fighters with submissions. That includes two jiu-jitsu black belts in Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort. He also submitted Rampage Jackson, who was only submitted once before in his MMA career by Kazushi Sakuraba.

Teixeira has the better technical submission skills, and that is why I will give him the slight edge.

Jones will most likely be in better positions to use his submissions, but Teixeira has more experience. Let's not forget Belfort nearly surprised Jones with an armbar. Teixeira has the ability to do the same.

Edge: Teixeira

X-Factors

Jones' X-Factor: Avoiding Complacency

UFC 162 was a wake-up call for the dominant UFC champions. Stay alert and don't take your opponents likely.

Teixeira is a tough fighter, but Jones—on paper—should have no problem defeating him. He is the better fighter. Jones can decide where this fight takes place. He can dictate the pace of the fight. Everything is in his control.

Teixeira's X-Factor: Closing the Distance

Jones' management of distance is his biggest asset. Especially against a fighter like Teixeira. Jones can essentially render him useless.

The potential challenger has to find a way inside either to strike or attempt a takedown. He will do nothing from outside. It is much easier said than done against Jones, but he has to try. Caution will have to be thrown to the wind multiple times. Being passive won't get it done.

Teixeira has absolutely no shot if he cannot get inside.

Prediction

Teixeira is an excellent fighter, but this is a terrible matchup for the challenger.

Jones is quicker, more athletic and has the better overall skill set. Teixeira will find it hard to close the distance, and that will make him an easy night at the office for the reigning champion.

Jones will use his leg kicks early in the fight, and eventually he will begin to take Teixeira down. On the mat, Jones will finally take advantage of a tired Teixeira in the third round. He will get back to the mounted crucifix that has helped him in the past. Elbows will commence.

The referee will be forced to save Teixeira, and Jones will add another dominant defense to his growing resume.

Prediction: Jones defeats Teixeira by TKO in the third round