UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has quite the record set before him, as Tito Ortiz still holds the top mark for most defenses of the 205-pound belt.
Ortiz, who won the title in 2000 against Wanderlei Silva, defended the belt five times – a record that still stands to this day. In a recent interview with Newsday, the soon-to-be-retired Ortiz shared his feelings on who might surpass that high-water mark.
“I would love for it to stick around, but I think Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones will be the one to beat me. If there’s any person in the world I’d love to see do it, I would love to see him do it because he’s such a good dude. He’s a good guy. I like him a lot. I think he represents the sport very well, I mean, until he got his DWI. We all make mistakes at a young age. If he beats my record, then he’s done some great things.”
Jones is currently just two more defenses from tying the mark. He has already defeated Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans – all of whom are ex-UFC champs. His next defense is set for UFC 151 in September against Dan Henderson.
Ortiz, meanwhile, is set to make his retirement fight against Forrest Griffin at UFC 148 on July 7. He will also be inducted into the UFC’s Hall of Fame that weekend.
Photo credit: CombatLifestyle.com
