Jon Jones: Who Can Beat the New UFC Light Heavyweight Champion?

After Jon Jones' utter destruction of Shogun Rua at UFC 128, many people are wondering if anyone can beat the new Light Heavyweight Champ. 

Let's take a look at some of his possible future opponents and dissect their chances.                                   

Rashad Evans

Former training partner, Rashad Evans, will get the first crack at dethroning the seemingly unstoppable Jones. Evans officially left Greg Jackson's gym last week. He and Jones have traded some small trash talk over the past couple of weeks. 

Neither man is too happy about having to face each other.  After the fight Jones said, "It sucks to have to do this, but I have to do exactly what I have to do." 

Evans later said, "You should never say never. He's got that strap, and I've got to go after it."

Jones opened up as a heavy early favorite at -525, and it's hard to argue with that.  Evans definitely has better wrestling than Shogun.  He definitely has more quickness than Shogun, but it's hard to imagine Jones not being on top of him, holding him down, while raining elbows to Rashad's head. 

Jones is just too big and strong for Evans.  I see an early TKO victory for Jon Jones.

Quinton Rampage Jackson

With a win over Matt Hamill at UFC 130, Rampage could very well be in line for a title shot versus the winner of Jones and Evans.  While Rampage definitely has the power to knock Jones out, does anyone really see him being able to connect with Jones' chin? 

I'm a big Rampage fan, but I don't see how he doesn't end up on his back, unable to get up.  On the feet, we'd see a frustrated Rampage, head-hunting for the KO.  Jones is too fast and too much of an athletic freak for Rampage.

Lyoto Machida

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida celebrates his victory over UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (not pictured) in their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, Cali

Coming off back-to-back losses, Machida would have to get through Randy Couture at UFC 129 and then rack up a couple top 10 victories before he would get title consideration. Stylistically this matchup could present some problems for Jones, but I can't imagine Machida winning in any way but a decision, and even that seems a little far-fetched. 

Machida has a better chance than most to avoid Jones' vicious strikes, but where would his offense come from?  Is he quick enough to strike and move away from Jones? Would Jones leave enough openings for Machida to counter-strike? How would Machida not end up on his back like everyone else? 

This is a very interesting match, and one that we just have to see someday, but it's a match that Jones comes out on top eight or nine times out of 10.

Phil Davis

Now here is someone who can match Jones' athleticism and wrestling.  Phil Davis, who takes on Antonio Rogerio Noguiera this Saturday night, is a former National Champion wrestler from Penn St. 

He has a perfect 8-0 record.  Jones isn't going to throw Davis around the cage like other opponents. 

Since both fighters are such strong wrestlers, this fight would likely be settled standing, and a big advantage goes to Jones while standing.  Davis will have to improve his striking and striking defense to have a chance.  If the fight happened today, Jones would KO Davis. 

Luckily, this fight probably won't happen anytime soon.

Anderson Silva

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

CHICAGO- OCTOBER 25: Anderson Silva prepares before the Middleweight Title Bout at UFC's Ultimate Fight Night at Allstate Arena on October 25, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Now we're talking! The No. 1 Pound-for-Pound fighter in the world, Anderson Silva, who has moved up to Light Heavyweight with excellent results in the past, seems destined to challenge Jones in a Super-fight.  Forget the constantly mentioned Super-fight with Georges St. Pierre. 

This is the fight that everyone should want to see. Lorenzo Fertitta, the owner of the UFC, went to Twitter after Jones won the belt Saturday, and asked: "Bones vs. Silva? Who wants it?"  Mark me down!

Silva can match, or even surpass Jones in the striking department. Jones will no doubt be able to take Silva down, but the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black-belt has finished many opponents from his back. If it stays standing, I actually think Silva wins more times than not.  If Jones were able to control the fight with his wrestling, I see him winning via TKO or decision. 

It's a very even match up in my eyes, and one that we must see. 

Check out my blog at Beerbrunch.com.  Follow me on twitter @coldy4goldy.