UFC Champ Jon Jones considering another four-fight year in 2012

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones had a massively successful year in 2011, capturing the Title and defending it twice in the midst of four straight wins in the year. After defeating Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 last month, Jones stated that he was interested in taking four to five months off after his whirlwind 2011 campaign, but he now says he's reconsidering that stance.

"I've been thinking recently about trying to compete four times in the year again," Jones told ESPN this week. "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."

Regardless of how many fights he takes in the year, he has one specific goal for his professional career in 2012.

"My goal is to finish every fight in 2012," he said. "If I do that, a lot of other things will fall into place naturally. I want to finish every opponent."

Jones is expected to make his first title defense of the year against either Rashad Evans or Dan Henderson, depending on what happens in the Rashad Evans-Phil Davis fight at UFC on Fox 2 this month.

Penick's Analysis: If Jones is wanting to return sooner here, it could definitely be better for Henderson's chances of getting the next title shot off his win over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. With Evans-Davis happening at the end of this month, should Jones want to return by, say, March, Henderson would be the more likely choice as it would be a really quick turnaround for Evans. Regardless, the UFC would certainly be happy if they can get their rising star into the cage for four different events again this year, as his continued dominance will lead to more people tuning in, whether to cheer him on or see his run end. Either way, more Jon Jones is a good thing for the UFC, the sport, and the fans.

[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_12033.shtml

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