UFC 135 Results: Jon Jones Is The Best Fighter In The World

Jon Jones has looked awesome every step of the way in his UFC career. From the German suplex in his fight with Stephan Bonnar to his spinning elbow against "Shogun" Rua, Jones has made it look easy. Maybe it's because of this casual dominance that doubters have persisted.

For skeptics, there's always been a reason to question what was there right in front of our eyes. Bonnar, after all, was never anything more than an average fighter. Vladimir Matyushenko was old. Rua, undoubtedly a great, was coming off a string of injuries. If you wanted to create a fictional world, one where Jon Jones wasn't the best young fighter in the sport's history, the pieces were there.

Not any more.

There are no reasons left to doubt. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson came to the Octagon tonight to fight. He was in shape. He had the tools to win. And Jon Jones dominated him in a way no one has before. What makes Jones special, and I don't think it's too early to use words like special with this kid, is the number of ways he can beat you. He's an amazing wrestler - but he's not just a wrestler. He's got the best ground and pound in the division, if not the sport - but he's not just a Mark Coleman clone. He has a submission game - but if you defend smartly, he'll go right back to elbowing your head off. In short, you're never safe in a fight with Jon Jones.

Making matters worse for future opponents is a mean streak a mile wide.  I was one of the first to note it, to the considerable ire of Jones fans. But Jones, despite his humble nice guy act and winning smile, is an absolutely vicious fighter when he steps in the cage. Rampage found out to his detriment when Jones once again targeted the knee with a straight kick designed to damage the joint. This willingness to hurt, not just to win, makes Jones an incredibly dangerous man.

If anything, Jones's continued dominance and ever growing skill sets, are in real danger of making his fights seem like after thoughts. Rashad Evans stepped into the cage to challenge Jones for his title, but who among the millions watching believe for a second he stands a chance?

Fans joke about MMA pundits and their desire to proclaim fighters unbeatable. It's a cliche, one we've seen proven false over and over again, whether the unbeatable champion was Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes, Fedor Emelianenko, or Georges St. Pierre. Jon Jones is not unbeatable. Nobody is. But Jon Jones is the best fighter in the world. And you can quote me on it.