5 current light heavyweights who could’ve beaten Jon Jones

#4. Jon Jones vs. Reinier de Ridder

Similar to Jon Jones, no one has ever managed to defeat Reinier de Ridder. The 14-0 submission artist has been impossible to handle everywhere he’s fought. In April 2021, ‘The Dutch Knight’ fulfilled a dream Israel Adesanya attempted at UFC 259: he became the ruler of both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.

As it stands, de Ridder is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter ONE Championship has going. A two-title king, de Ridder’s mastery of Brazilian jiu-jitsu would make him a struggle on the ground for Jon Jones. The Dutchman’s guards, mobility and mastery of leverage ensure he’s a lethal fight off the feet.

To take the double-champ out, Jon Jones would have to rely on his prolific striking and aim for a KO/TKO while he’s still fresh in the early rounds. While Jones is the superior striker, de Ridder is no slouch in this regard either. His knee strikes were enough to send Gilberto Galvao to the shadow realm at Legendary Quest.

The longer this fight goes on, the more it plays into de Ridder’s hands. Slowing the fight down and keeping it grounded, de Ridder would no doubt look to set up his suffocating rear-naked choke for the submission win.

For Jon Jones, this unpredictable grappler could be a strategic nightmare to handle. If this battle went the distance, de Ridder could just pick up a narrow decision victory.

#3. Jon Jones vs. Jiri Prochazka

At 6’4”, Jiri Prochazka enjoys a long reach (80”) to enhance his killer Muay Thai combos. For Jon Jones, fighting someone with an almost as freaky reach as his own is a rare occurrence. Prochazka’s size and defense would help neutralize the threat of Jones’ brain-rattling elbow jabs.

Prochazka has not lost a fight since 2015 against Muhammed Lawal at the Rizin World Grand Prix final. At 28-3, the pride of Znojmo boasts 25 knockout wins to his name.

On the feet, even someone as deadly as Jon Jones would be in trouble against the agile and vicious Prochazka. A master of the eight limbs of Muay Thai, Prochazka would have to keep this fight on the feet at all times.

If it were to go to the ground, Prochazka, much like everyone else, would likely be grounded and pounded into next week by ‘Bones’. Standing up though, this is a hazardously competitive fight where the mettle of Jon Jones’ chin would be tested.

The longer the fight goes, the worse Prochazka’s chances become. All it would take, however, is landing a series of his killer shots in the early rounds to turn the tide and net the upset.