UFC 145: Champ Jon Jones to doubters ahead of Rashad Evans bout - "Wait until they see what I do on April 21"

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Light Heayvweight Champion Jon Jones has had an incredibly meteoric rise up the ranks. The 24-year-old entered the UFC just months after making his professional debut, and in short order proved himself to be one of the premiere up and coming talents in the organization.

Then in 2011 he took an unbelievable leap, taking injured teammate Rashad Evans' spot opposite then-Champion Maurico "Shogun" Rua. After destroying Rua before stopping him in the third round, then becoming the first fighter to submit "Rampage" Jackson in a decade, then choking Lyoto Machida out cold, Jones entered 2012 ready to settle the score with his former friend.

Now, he and Evans will finally square off next month when they battle for the title in the main event of UFC 145 in Atlanta, Georgia, and Jones thinks it's going to be one of the biggest events the UFC has put on in some time.

"My title defense at UFC 145 will be the biggest fight the UFC has seen in years," Jones said in comments released by the UFC. "Sports fans from around the world will want to tune in for this Pay-Per-View, as they know it will be an all-out war."

"My opponent and I have a storied history that has been well-documented. He thinks he knows everything I bring to the table, but a lot has changed since he left the gym a year ago. I'm a much different fighter than the one he trained with. I hope he is ready to see and feel that difference."

Though still a very young fighter, Jones has already accomplished more than most fighters on the UFC's roster. Still, his goals aren't anywhere near finished as a fighter, and he feels he will once again prove any remaining doubters wrong when he takes on Evans.

"It is one of my goals to be considered among the greats in UFC history," Jones said. "I feel it is my time and my destiny to be the Light Heavyweight Champion in the UFC. Winning this fight, and defeating a fourth former champion in a row would keep me on pace to achieving that goal."

"I have been able to prove many of my doubters wrong over the course of the last 12 months," he continued. "Some said I couldn't submit a legend, and I did that. Some said I couldn't take a punch, and I did that. Now some are saying that I will have trouble against someone who knows me so well."

"They are wrong. Wait until they see what I do on April 21."

Penick's Analysis: There are a number of fans that haven't come around to Jones as a person yet, and his clear confidence - sometimes coming off as extreme arrogance - is a big part of that. Still, it's impossible to deny how special he is as a fighter inside the cage. The things that he's been able to do already in his career have been incredible; and if he gets past Evans, Dan Henderson, and another challenger this year, it will be hard not to put him into the conversation already as one of the great fighters in the history of the sport. Regardless of your thoughts of him outside of the cage, inside he's one of the most exciting fighters to come along in years, and all of his fights should be considered big events.

[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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