UFC 165: Jon Jones seeks record title defense vs. Alexander Gustafsson

Jon “Bones” Jones will be a heavy favorite to defeat Alexander Gustafsson in a light-heavyweight championship bout Saturday night in Toronto. A victory would give him a record sixth successful title defense, eclipsing the mark set by Tito Ortiz.

If you want to put money down on Jones, who has a mixed martial arts record of 18-1, bookmakers put the odds between 7-1 and 12-1.

The 6-foot-4 Jones, 26, is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the 25-year-old Swede with history on the line.

“To be able to have the most consecutive light-heavyweight title defenses is huge,” Jones said in a preview to the fight. “Being the best in something doesn’t come around the corner very often.”

Gustafsson is the No. 1 challenger in the division with a record of 15-1. He believes his similar size -- he’s 6-5 --and build will be an asset.

“I’m a striker, about the same size,” Gustafsson said. “I’m here to take his belt. I’m going to beat Jon Jones.”

Jones, though, said having a similar lanky build will have little to do with the outcome.

“Height and reach are nothing,” Jones told the Canadian Press. “It’s your spirit, it’s your work ethic, it’s your level of belief.… It’s your story that makes you a champion, not simply just being tall with long arms. If it was being tall with being long arms, half the NBA would be world-class cage-fighters.”

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