Jon Jones Smashes Rampage Jackson: Building the Perfect Fighter to Stop Jones

Jon "Bones" Jones destroyed Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Saturday night in his first light heavyweight title defense.

Jones dominated Jackson in all facets of the fight and was never in any real trouble.

After such an impressive title defense, it's hard to choose which one fighter could take the belt from him, so I took aspects from various fighters repertoire who could present a challenge to Jones.

The fighters used in comparison are all current or former light heavyweight contenders.

Takedowns from Rashad Evans

In his title defense, Jones took down Rampage at will, which led to his submission victory. 

"Suga" Rashad Evans stands as Jones next opponent, but in this article, his takedown ability and takedown defense is the main topic. 

Evans was a two-time All-State wrestler and eventual National Junior College champion. His background as a pure wrestler offers impeccable strength at taking his opponents to the mat and controlling them there.

Reach from Phil Davis

Jon Jones stands at 6'4", but his reach is what impresses most fighters and fans. Jones reach stands at 84", a ridiculous number next to his last opponent, Jackson, whose reach was a measly 74" in comparison.

That differential is insane, as Jackson has an abnormally long reach as it is. 

Phil Davis, the No. 10 ranked fighter in the light heavyweight division according to FIGHT! magazine, has a reach of 79". His length is still 5" short of Jones, but standing even that close gives him much more of an opportunity to stand and strike with the champion.

Conditioning from Rich Franklin

Rich Franklin's conditioning is unmatched. Throughout his career, "Ace" Franklin has shown repeatedly that his focus going into fights relies on his conditioning, and that he believes that is the key to victory.

Franklin has been through wars in the Octagon, ending fights in the fourth round as well as winning decision battles in the fifth.

Jon Jones had his first fight over his career enter the fourth round Saturday and didn't look winded at all as he took Jackson down, transitioned to his back, and choked out the former light heavyweight champion. 

Striking from Vitor Belfort

Vitor Belfort is one of the most explosive strikers to ever grace the UFC. He hits his opponent on 51 percent of his strike attempts according to UFC.com.

If you don't believe me, take a gander at this.

Jones' striking is phenomenal, literally hitting his opponents at every possible location with every conceivable limb, but Belfort's striking is the only one that comes close in consistency.

Ground Game from Tito Ortiz

"The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz was a dominant ground-and-pound fighter. Jon Jones hasn't fought anyone close to the intensity and pure power on the ground that Ortiz brought to the Octagon.

Ortiz could stand and fight with the best of them, but ran through his opponents on pace to one of the most dominant time periods in the history of the UFC because of his ground game.

Overwhelming Confidence from Rampage Jackson

Confidence is key in the Octagon. Without confidence, fighters have already lost the contest.

"Rampage" Jackson spent months hyping his much-anticipated title fight, and legitimately believed he would win the belt back. 

The man that will beat Jones must retain the same confidence Jackson brought Saturday night.

Will to Win from Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin

Are there any two other fighters that have shown the utter will to win other than Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar?

Both guys take punches and continue moving forward like nothing we have ever seen before. 

Against a fighter like Jon Jones, if anyone expects to take the title from him, they have to have the heart these men have.

Thanks for reading and follow me on Twitter @RajPrashad