UFC 165 preview: A closer look at Jon Jones' career statistics

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (18-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) made his octagon debut in August 2008, but already it seems his rise to the top has happened faster than any other fighter in MMA history.

Having turned professional just a little more than five years ago, Jones already has accomplished more than most will in a lifetime of competition. And at just 26, it’s hardly farfetched to say “Bones” has yet to enter his physical and mental prime.

Jones has gone from inexperienced and unknown prospect to a pound-for-pound great over the course of 13 career UFC fights, and Saturday at UFC 165, the American looks to add to his resume when he takes on Alexander Gustafsson (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

The New York native previously has discussed his desire to break all standing records in the light heavyweight division, and while he’s well on his way to doing just that, Saturday’s fight is arguably the most meaningful of Jones’ UFC career thus far.

Since 2002, UFC Hall of Famer and former 205-pound champion Tito Ortiz‘s record of five consecutive light heavyweight title defenses has stood strong. For more than a decade, champions have come and gone in the weight class, none able to duplicate the success of “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy.”

That all started to change when Jones arrived on the scene, and since capturing the belt in 2011, he’s been determined to make the record his own.

With one of the most significant bouts of his career just around the corner and history on the line, there’s no better time to take a closer look at everything Jones has achieved to date and what records are in store if his success continues.

GENERAL STATISTICS

Jones currently is ranked No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA light heavyweight rankings and No. 1 in the pound-for-pound poll, as well.

Youngest active fighter in the UFC light heavyweight division.

Current nine-fight UFC winning streak is both the longest active streak in the light heavyweight division and the longest streak of consecutive victories in the history of the weight class.

Nine-fight UFC winning streak is tied with former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos for the third longest UFC winning streak. Royce Gracie and Georges St-Pierre are tied for second with 11 consecutive wins, while Anderson Silva leads the category with 16-straight wins.

Twelve UFC light heavyweight victories are tied with Rashad Evans for the most in modern UFC history. Chuck Liddell leads the category with 13 wins.

Five submission victories in UFC competition are a record for most in the history of the 205-pound weight class.

Has defeated five fighters who once held an undisputed UFC championship belt, the most of any active fighter in the organization.

Reach of 84.5 inches is the longest of any fighter in the light heavyweight division and tied with heavyweight Stefan Struve for the longest of any fighter in the UFC.

CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS

At 23 years, eight months, became the youngest champion in UFC history when he defeated Mauricio Rua for the light heavyweight title at UFC 128 in March 2011.

At 24 years, two months, five days, became the youngest fighter in UFC history to defend a championship belt when he defeated Quinton Jackson at UFC 135.

Title reign of 917 days (as of Sunday) is the second longest in divisional history behind Tito Ortiz (1,260 days).

Streak of five consecutive light heavyweight title defenses are tied with Ortiz for the most in the history of the weight class. A win at UFC 165 would give Jones sole possession of the record.  His four UFC title fights in a 364-day span between Sept. 24, 2011 and Sept. 22, 2012, are the most in modern UFC history.

Five consecutive UFC title defenses are tied with Matt Hughes for the third most in company history. Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre is second with eight while Anderson Silva leads the category with 10.

Six wins in UFC championship fights are tied with Ortiz for the third most ever. Matt Hughes and Randy Couture are tied for second at nine while Silva and St-Pierre lead the category with 11 wins in championship bouts.

IN-FIGHT STATISTICS

Has never been taken down in his 19-fight MMA career, including 16 of 16 takedown attempts successfully defended in the UFC.

Finishing rate of 82 percent is second only to women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey for highest finishing percentage of the nine current undisputed UFC champions.

Has never been knocked down or submitted in MMA competition.

Is one of only two fighters in UFC history (Patrick Smith) to win two fights via a standing submission.

Nine knockout or submission wins in modern UFC competition are tied with former champion Chuck Liddell for the most stoppage victories in divisional history.

Takedown accuracy of 63.9 percent is second in UFC light heavyweight history to Lyoto Machida, who completes 65 percent of his takedown attempts.

Total of 552 significant strikes landed in UFC competition is the most among active light heavyweight fighters.

Has the fifth most total strikes landed in light heavyweight history with 741. Matt Hamill is fourth with 857, Stephan Bonnar third at 1,005, Forrest Griffin second at 1,096 and Tito Ortiz leads the category with 1,241 total strikes landed.

His 26 takedowns landed are the fourth most in UFC light heavyweight history.

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