Jon Jones is back!
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, the world witnessed the return of Jon Jones, the greatest fighter to ever grace an Octagon.
Only two things have ever beaten Jones, an antiquated rule and himself. When he was disqualified for landing those 12-6 elbows, the ‘winner’ of the contest, Matt Hammil, had to be carried out of the Octagon.
After becoming the youngest champion in the promotion’s history, he solidified his position as the greatest by breezing past a who’s who of former UFC champions including ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort.
Don't kick a man when he's down https://t.co/PPlC70pMPB
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 30, 2017
At UFC 214, he exacted revenge on himself for being the architect of his own demise. By becoming the first man to finish Daniel Cormier, arguably the second greatest mixed martial artist ever, Jones closed the darkest chapter of his career.
When he landed that seismic head kick before annihilating his rival with that vicious ground and pound, he exorcised the demons of his failings over the past number of years and returned to the platform where no one can deny his talents.
Although the light heavyweight division may not be the strongest it’s ever been, Jones doesn’t have to look towards Brock Lesnar for his next real challenge.
He's back https://t.co/VYV4h1baZQ
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) July 30, 2017
Is everyone forgetting that other 205lbs contest on UFC 214’s main card?
For months, Jimi Manuwa had been telling the press how he was next in line to fight for the title. He was sitting cageside at UFC 210 when Daniel Cormier defended the strap by forcing the tap from Anthony Johnson. Joe Rogan even stoked the flames of a potential beef between ‘DC’ and the British powerhouse by getting a dialogue going during the Octagon interview.
Had Manuwa won at the weekend, he would have been convinced that he was getting a crack at Jones’ belt. But that didn’t happen.
Instead, the fastest rising star in the UFC improved his pristine promotional record with yet another highlight reel finish.
What a start to the main card! 😱
Volkan Oezdemir lights up #UFC214 with a stunning first-round KO of Jimi Manuwa! 💪 pic.twitter.com/FTHjDiVWxE
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 30, 2017
Volkan Oezdemir’s name should really be more prevalent in the title picture. The Swiss assassin may only have three fights in the UFC, but they were all victories over top contenders.
After edging Ovince Saint Preux to a split decision in a fight he took on short notice, Oezdimir snapped Misha Cirkunov’s eight-fight win-streak in 28 seconds before absolutely murking Manuwa in 42 seconds in what could easily be seen as a number-one contender fight.
Why wait six months for Lesnar to complete the obligatory USADA testing for unretiring athletes when there’s an exciting new opponent fit and ready to step into a championship fight?
Much respect to @dc_mma, an incredible person and a true champ! And welcome back @JonnyBones, see you soon champ! pic.twitter.com/Md79gztnjH
— Volkan Oezdemir (@volkan_oezdemir) July 30, 2017
The other name that’s being floated around is Alexander Gustafsson. The Swede is undoubtedly a far bigger draw than Oezdemir and famously took Jones to the brink in a five-round war in 2013.
However, as Anthony Johnson pointed out to NESN, Gus has already lost a pair of title shots to Jones and Cormier respectively.
“He deserves it at this point. He deserves it. Gus had two title shots, I had two title shots, they need some new blood in there.
“Volkan’s definitely making waves now, especially after beating Jimi the way that he did. I knocked Jimi out in the second round. Volkan just did it in what? Two minutes? Something like that. He made me look bad. Y’all don’t know how excited I am for Volkan.”
He’s not even been in the UFC for a year, but now’s the time to give Oezdemir the toughest task in the sport. He’s earned it.
