UFC
UFC Champ Jon Jones guarantees victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 in Toronto
Nov 30, 2011 - 10:35:59 AM UFC Champ Jon Jones guarantees victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 in Toronto

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has already won three fights in 2011, handing Ryan Bader his first loss, defeating Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the title, and then becoming the first person to stop Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in the UFC. Now, he's got another former Champion ahead of him in Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 in Toronto.

The 24-year-old Champion's rise and domination of the division is similar to Machida's prior to his losses to "Shogun" and "Rampage." Jones is looking forward to a similarly unpredictable opponent, but still feels he has the advantages in the matchup.

"I've always felt confident with martial arts; and I always knew that I would fight Lyoto one day," Jones said in a pre-fight interview for UFC.com. "Lyoto's a great opponent, man, he's game. I think he takes this sport seriously. I think he's unpredictable, he's fast. Lyoto loves distance and I love distance; but I have the longer limbs and I believe I'm just as fast. So if Lyoto wants to play the distance game with me, I think that's going to be awesome.

"I'm also very unpredictable. I have tons of confidence and faith in my wrestling abilities against Lyoto. I feel as if I can shoot at his legs and take him down, and I also feel as if I have tons of versatility in my takedowns from the point and shoot."

As the fight fast approaches, Jones says he's coming to understand what Machida brings to the fight, and he has no doubt that he'll remain the UFC Champion in this fight.

"I know myself, I know my weaknesses, and I'm not naive to them," Jones said. "I'm starting to understand my opponent, I'm starting to understand what makes Lyoto, Lyoto, where he's strong, where he's weak. I will defeat Lyoto Machida. I believe that it's my destiny to be the UFC Champion for many years."

Penick's Analysis: This is a fantastic matchup in the light heavyweight division, even if Machida's status as a title contender is dubious, at best. Still, he's always been an elusive and talented striker, and that makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone. However, Jones is taller, longer, and his wresting is a huge advantage to him as well. He's just as hard to figure out as Machida, and it makes for a really exciting matchup for the fans in Toronto. If Jones can defeat his third champion or former champion in 2011, it will be hard to argue that he hasn't had the best year of any fighter in this division ever.