UFC Light Heavyweight Champ Jon Jones Chases History at UFC 165

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been rewriting UFC history and has the opportunity to add another accolade to his growing list of accomplishments at UFC 165 when he faces Alexander Gustafsson.

Jones is the youngest fighter to ever capture a UFC title.  He’s the youngest fighter to ever defend a UFC title.  He currently holds the longest winning streak in UFC light heavyweight history.  He is tied with former titleholder Tito Ortiz with the most successful UFC light heavyweight title defenses with six, but that all could change on Sept. 21.

During a recent media conference call, Jones was asked about potentially passing Ortiz’ record and if chasing history is a goal of his.

“Yes, absolutely. You know, I set that a long time ago,” said Jones. “I’ve set a lot of goals and becoming the greatest light heavyweight record-wise is definitely a big goal of mine.”

Jones doesn’t just have his sights set on the light heavyweight title defense record, he’d like to surpass Anderson Silva’s record for the most consecutive UFC title defenses.  Silva’s record ended at 10 when he lost to Chris Weidman at UFC 162.

“Guys like Anderson Silva with 10 title defenses, it just motivates me a lot. It’s just to keep moving forward and things like that,” he said.  “So, yes, this record means everything to me and did kind of since my very first fight.”

When Silva lost to Weidman, he relinquished his long-standing top pound-for-pound ranking.  Jones took over the position and holding on to it motivates the 26-year-old.

“Yes, it’s really motivating to me to have that rank. What it does for me is just… it helps me push harder and the days where I feel sorry for myself, I’m sore and tired, I think to myself,  ‘I’ve earned all this and, you know, it’s for a reason.’ It’s because I have a special work ethic,” said Jones.

“It just drives me to just continue to work hard. It drives me to push harder and to realize that I’m here for a reason and I need to continue to be that hard worker that I’ve been. And so yes, it’s just great. I’m really excited about it and after this fight, after this win, I’ll feel that the ranking is a little more justified.”