Jon Jones: I want to fight four times in 2012 and finish every opponent

During 2011 Jon Jones had one of the best years in MMA history, putting together a record of 4-0 and defeating some of the top names in the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division. 

Jones started his 2011 run by defeating Ryan Bader via guillotine choke on February 5.  That victory earned him a shot to replace an injured Rashad Evans in a bout against then UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio Rua. Jones dominated Rua,  earning the third round TKO victory at UFC 128, which took place on March 19.  From there Jones walked through Quinton Jackson in September, earning a fourth round submission victory.

To end his year Jones met another former UFC Champion, Lyoto Machida, at UFC 140.  Machida, did give Jones some problems in the first round, but Jones worked through that bit of adversity, ending the fight in the second round via a standing guillotine choke. 

Following the fight, Jones asked UFC President Dana White for some time off, and White agreed that he had definitely earned a vacation.  How long that vacation will be is up for discussion as Jones recently revealed that he wants to compete four times in 2012. 

“My goal is to finish every fight in 2012. If I do that, a lot of other things will fall into place naturally. I want to finish every opponent.  I’ve been thinking recently about trying to compete four times in the year again. I grew so much as a person that by doing that again in 2012 will just make me a better athlete. Originally I said I wanted to take off four or five months, but I may reconsider and come back sooner and have three or four fights this year.” – for more see ESPN.com

What do you think LowKick’ers, who should Jones face in 2012?

Further Reading: UFC 140: Jon Jones chokes Lyoto Machida out cold to retain his title

Photo: UFC fighter Jon Jones before his fight against Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC-Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko at the San Diego Sports Arena on August 1, 2010, in San Diego, California. Francis Specker