• UFC 145

Jon Jones can be the best ever - Chuck Liddell

ESPN staff
April 23, 2012
Jon Jones has the world at his feet © Getty Images
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Jon Jones has the potential to be the best fighter the UFC has ever seen, according to Chuck Liddell, who even feels the light-heavyweight could rule at heavyweight.

Jones chalked up a third successful defence of his title against Rashad Evans at UFC 145, responding to adversity by recovering from a first-round head kick to claim a unanimous decision.

At 24 years of age the potential surrounding the champion is incredible. Already after a four-year spell with the UFC he has progressed from talented wrestler to imaginative and frightening Muay Thai man.

Liddell, once the most devastating light-heavyweight in the world, is well-placed to judge the rise of Jones. And the Iceman insists the champion's attitude is the biggest sign that he can leave a legacy on the sport of MMA.

"Jon has the right attitude, he can get there [to be the best]," Liddell told ESPN. "He needs a little bit more of a power punch, but he can develop that, he has the time.

"He keeps working at everything, he is hungry and motivated and he has the potential [to be the best]."

With every win Jones becomes increasingly linked to a move to heavyweight, such is his dominant status at 205lbs. If he beats Dan Henderson those calls will grow still further, and Liddell does not think it's the craziest idea he has ever heard.

"Jon's got the frame for heavyweight, if he works his way up, he could definitely move up," said the UFC Hall of Famer.

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© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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