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Jon Jones' 12-month route to UFC glory

How long until Jon Jones has UFC gold wrapped around his waist? © UFC

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Jon "Bones" Jones will be presented with a stiff test on August 1, a test that comes in the form of seasoned veteran Vladimir "the Janitor" Matyushenko at UFC on Versus 2.

While Matyushenko, a man who has victories over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Pedro Rizzo to his name, goes looking to derail the "Bones Express," Jones himself will be planning to extend his already substantial reputation in the light-heavyweight mix with a big win over the Belarusian.

Having celebrated what was only his 23rd birthday this week, it is natural to assume that the powers that be may attempt to delay Jones in his bid for a first title fight, perhaps allowing this uniquely talented fighter to develop further before facing the very best.

Age, however, is not a factor in MMA, and 20-fight undefeated records rarely exist as fighters go unsheltered from top level competition. Quite simply if you are good enough, you are old enough; and it will be the next couple of performances from Jones that will decide if, or when for that matter, he earns a seemingly inevitable shot at the 205lb belt.

Heading into next Sunday's clash with Matyushenko, belief in a Jon Jones victory is largely absolute. However, this is MMA, and at this level anything can happen, although it is difficult to visualise anything other than an eleventh victory for the Greco-Roman star. Indeed, this fight with Matyushenko could well be the first for Jones in a twelve-month, four-fight route to a showdown with whoever holds the title next summer.

Theoretically, fight number two for "Bones" would come towards the end of 2010, against the winner of the UFC 119 clash between Rogerio Nogueira and another rising star, Ryan "Darth" Bader. Whoever comes through that particular showdown is more than deserving of their own place in the UFC's top 10 and would make a great next examination for Jones.

If all goes to plan, and assuming that we do actually see Rampage Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida at some point before Christmas, then Jones could then face the winner of that bout as fight number three. Whether it is Jackson or Machida, either man would pose as an ideal number one contender fight alongside Jones.

The winner of Jones v Jackson or Jones v Machida would then serve as a perfect foil for the winner of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Rashad Evans, which is expected to take place before March of 2011.

Granted, this may not sound like the longest route to a title shot, but as Marshall Zelaznik recently commented to ESPN.co.uk: 'If Jones keeps winning it will be very hard to keep him from walking through that Octagon door'.

If Jones came through a run of fights including Matyushenko, Nogueira and Machida, it would certainly highlight just how worthy a challenger he actually is. And If Shogun is able to make his return by March, as has been widely reported, then this leads us perfectly to a summer showdown for Jones and the UFC light-heavyweight championship.

Chris Park is mmatorch.com's UK specialist. Click here to read original article.

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