Commentator Mike Goldberg worked hard to sell a comparison between Jones and Michael Jordan at the outset of the broadcast on Saturday, citing Jones’ charisma both inside the Octagon and out as similar to that of the NBA legend. Jones does have his own shoe deal, but no one is ready to mention K-Swiss in the same breath as Nike just yet. A more apt comparison for Jones is LeBron James, as both men are uniquely talented but seem to polarize fans with their personas. The difference is James has been a household name for years, appearing in magazines in middle school and having his high school basketball games broadcast on national television. The widespread interest in “The Decision” in the summer of 2010 was the culmination of years of hype and exposure.

ESPN cameramen have never crammed into a gym for an Iowa Central Community College wrestling meet, and Jones’ own decision to leave the New York-based Team Bombsquad for Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts a few years ago barely created a ripple on the MMA scene at the time, much less nationally. For all he has accomplished in such a short period of time, Jones is not recognized by mothers and grandmothers as must-see TV just yet.

Jones is a beast and I do not see anybody beating him for A LONG TIME. His one so called loss was a bull$hit call by the ref. He was crushing Hamil and the fight should have already been stopped before the dq. In my opinion, he will go on a run similar to Spider Silva, if not longer.

Yeah his quick ascent is quite amazing. He had a great year in 2011. His fight with the Hammer should have been ruled a No Contest. I would like to see him matched up with his old buddy and current nemesis Rashad Evans, then after that Dan Henderson.