Very few hunters can reach a long service life at the height of the sport, and then there are 'bones'.
Jon Jones received a lot of criticism during his current feud with Tom Aspinall with both heavyweight title holders who are at the top of the division.
However, there is a reason that when you talk about the greatest hunters in the history of mixed martial arts, most people have Jones as the best to ever do it.
The current heavyweight and former light heavyweight champion has the records for most UFC title fights, the most title fights and the most successful title defenses.
Although Jones's claim to be unbeaten, Demetrious Johnson was interviewed, he earned a huge record in only his 8th UFC fight on this day 13 years ago.
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Jon Jones dominated Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua at UFC 128 to win his first title
Apart from a controversial loss of disqualification against Matt Hamill that stays on his record, Jon Jones hit the ground in the UFC.
The super perspective arrived in the light heavyweight division and both sides of his DQ, he put six consecutive victories together with four Finishes.
His entry victory on Ryan Bader at UFC 126 in February 2011 would eventually be a huge victory for his young career after what happened in the light heavyweight title photo.
In his interview after the fight after the victory, Jones was told that his teammate Rashad Evans would no longer be able to face Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua for the title on UFC 128, which meant that 'bones' would take his place.
Rua, who made his name in pride before debuting in the Octagon in 2007, played Lyoto Machida in the previous year in a rematch, but nothing could prepare the Brazilian icon for what would come.
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At only 23 years old with a record of 12-1, Jones started his first UFC title fight by throwing a flying knee at the champion.
It was quickly clear to the fans in the Prudential Center in Newark that they witnessed something special when a change in the guard took place.
Jones dominated the first round while demonstrating his well -rounded skills and apparently hurt his opponent in the process.
Not only has the challenger secured a Takedown 30 seconds in the fight, he unleashed a characteristic arsenal of knees, side kicks and rotating elbows.
Jones again dominated the second with Rua who clearly started to slow down without being very successful against the creative striking and dominant top control of his opponent.
After 'Bones' continued to rule, devastating soil and in the third pound, he put the champion away as soon as they both came to their feet, close the show with a beautiful body shot and knee follow -up to a falling 'shogun'.
Jones said in his interview after the fight he would be ready for all challengers and after leaving the title nine years later after 11 title defense, he was right.
“It means a lot to me, but now I know that I have a huge target on my back and when you come to hit me, I am ready to hit back immediately.”
Jon Jones' legacy is already insured
Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall would probably be the biggest fight of 2025 if it happens.
Although many fans and fellow hunters have accused Jones of trying to close the interim champion, 'Bones' has no history of and to a certain extent, his legacy has already been defined.
While the fight has to happen if the champion decides to get stuck, whether or not it will change everything he has achieved in the Octagon.
However, it will influence its public perception because of how long this Saga has continued without positive signs of Jones that he is interested in the fight.
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