3. Jon Jones
Jon Jones is a very acrobatic striker, and his long reach is a problem for anyone wishing to close the distance on him. While Jones’ last 4 fights have all been won on decision, that isn’t to say Jones’ hasn’t racked up his share of highlight reel strikes and knockouts.
If it wasn’t for an unfortunate DQ loss to Matt Hamill, Jones would still be an undefeated fighter. Its entirely likely that Jones will never be beaten by anyone in his prime; he is just that talented a fighter.
His problem is his ability to stay out of trouble with the police and USADA drug testers. His ability to do that will determine his legacy more than his unique striking ability will.
2. Anthony Pettis
Anthony Pettis’ career may have hit a bit of a snag recently, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still go down as one of the most innovative strikers in MMA.
Nothing sums up Pettis’ striking ability more than the time he propelled off the cage wall into the air to kick Benson Henderson in the face. The move had previously only been done by Vega, a character in Street Fighter (you could actually jump off of the side of the screen with him).
Pettis landed that kick on Henderson at WEC 53, but it would be their next bout which would carry greater importance. Pettis defeated Henderson by decision at WEC 53 to win the promotion’s lightweight title, and then he submitted him at UFC 164 to win the UFC lightweight championship. Pettis would only defend the title once however (against Gilbert Melendez), before dropping his next 3 fights and falling out of the title picture.
