What if Anthony Smith beats Jon Jones?

Jon Jones is beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of the greatest fighters to have ever graced the UFC's famed Octagon. However, despite being regarded by many as one of the most naturally talented combatants of all time, his laundry list to PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs) test failures as well as issues outside the cage have marred what could've been a near-perfect career.

Irrespective of whether you love or hate the man, the numbers don't lie, and the man known as "Bones" has won 22 of his 24 professional MMA fights -- with the lone loss coming by way of Disqualification to Matt Hamill in a fight Jones was dominating up until he dinged Hamill with a few 12-6 elbows, which led to the DQ. On the other hand, the only NC (No Contest) on Jones' record is that of his UFC 214 Knockout win over archrival Daniel Cormier, which was eventually turned from a KO win for Jones to an NC after "Bones" tested positive for the PED Turinabol which falls under the category of anabolic steroids.

Meanwhile, as Jones was handed down a retroactive suspension from MMA competition -- one which ends very soon, permitting him to compete once again from the 28th of October, 2018 -- a relatively lesser-known fighter, albeit a veteran, named Anthony Smith experienced a rather strange ascent to stardom.

Having competed as a Middleweight throughout his career, a devastating TKO loss to Thiago Santos in their back-and-forth war this February, coerced Smith to reconsider his options -- as "Lionheart" finally decided to stop draining his body with the weight-cut to 185 pounds, and instead move up to 205 pounds...An excellent idea!

With back-to-back 1st Round KO wins over former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champions Rashad Evans and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua after joining the ranks at 205 pounds, Smith most recently scored a 3rd Round Submission victory over former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir.

Today, we take a special look at the before, during and after -- pertaining to the potential series of events whereby Anthony Smith becomes the man to hand Jon Jones his first true loss in the MMA realm...

#5 Heart of a lion

Anthony Smith (right) has the heart of a lion

Firstly, we'd be smart to address the most obvious attribute that has seemingly served to bring Anthony "Lionheart" Smith to the upper echelons of the UFC Light-Heavyweight Division. Well, as his moniker suggests, Smith truly does possess the heart of a lion.

Smith suffered several stoppage losses in the early stages of his MMA career, however, the man who now holds a record of 31-13-1, has persevered through the ups and downs of the hurt business -- putting himself in pole position for a shot at the UFC Light-Heavyweight Title which is presently held by Daniel Cormier.

Nevertheless, with the UFC likely stripping Cormier of the title, as Jon Jones faces Alexander Gustafsson for the vacant strap at UFC 232 this December -- Smith would probably do battle with the winner of Jones vs. Gus in early 2019...

#4 Why Anthony Smith shall face Jon Jones and not "The Mauler"

Alright, by no means do we intend to disrespect "The Mauler" Alexander Gustafsson. However, after the instant classic they put on back at UFC 165 in September of 2013, the vast majority of combat sports pundits, as well as fans, have been of the view that Jones has evolved much more than Gustafsson in the ensuing years.

We hereby assume that Jones defeats Gustafsson for the vacant UFC Light-Heavyweight Title at UFC 232 this December, and then goes on to defend his belt against Anthony Smith. Honestly speaking, most odds-makers would have Smith as a huge underdog in a fight against Jones, or even against The Mauler for that matter!

Regardless, the beauty of the fight game is that when that leather makes contact with chins, it's anything goes. No one is invincible in the realm of MMA -- and that, is indeed, the undisputed truth...

#3 The battle

Smith must win the first battle with Jon Jones

The Octagon door slams shut, as Anthony Smith paces one from side to the other in his corner -- eagerly awaiting Bruce Buffer to be done with the announcements -- meanwhile, Jon Jones, with a look of supreme confidence on his face, soaks in the adulation from the fans in attendance for his defense of the UFC Light-Heavyweight Title.

The fight starts off with Smith utilizing good footwork, as he circles Jones; disallowing the latter from gauging the distance and getting the typical Bones rhythm going. Jones lands the better shots in Round 1 and seals it as a surefire 10-9 with a takedown in the end. Round 2 witnesses Jones throwing oblique kicks to the knee, as Smith finally starts finding his spots --tagging Jones with counter jabs, right straights and left hooks in response to the oblique kicks.

Round 3 sees Jones throw a greater number of roundhouse kicks to the head and body, whereas Smith looks to close the distance and unleash his boxing combinations. With Jones up 3 rounds to none, Smith enters the championship rounds knowing he needs a stoppage win.

Smith gets a tad too aggressive on the feet, and pays for it, as Jones takes him down -- landing several elbows which leave the former bloody and battered on the mat. Jones stands up, and looks down upon his foe, demanding that the latter get up. This is when Lionheart catches an overconfident Jones with a step-in right elbow to the chin.

A badly rocked Jones holds on for dear life until the buzzer sounds, as the two combatants then head to the 5th and final round of the fight. Jones seems to have cleared the cobwebs, but Smith is relentless with his attack -- tagging the consensus pound-for-pound great with a volley of elbows from the clinch. A left-right elbow combination to the dome drops Jones -- as Smith becomes the first man to stop "Bones" by way of KO/TKO.

Nevertheless, although Lionheart may have won a battle, his win over Jones shall serve to ignite an all out war...

#2 The war

After becoming the first person to hand Jon Jones a true loss in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, Anthony Smith will have surely ignited a war in the UFC Light-Heavyweight Division. Jones isn't someone to take things lying down, and a loss to a man whom many critics previously regarded as no more than a journeyman-level fighter, would most definitely light a fire under Jones to return and reclaim his throne.

On that note, given Jones' track record of dominance inside the Octagon, as well as Smith's willingness to fight anyone at any time -- an immediate rematch would likely be on the cards. The rematch may take place in late-2019 -- and would see Smith exhibit better takedown-defense throughout the fight, besides also tagging Jones with a steady flow of punches and elbows.

Smith would out-strike Jones in the rematch, courtesy his superior boxing and Muay Thai (elbows in particular), scoring a clear-cut decision win over Jones...

#1 It's never over

A combatant is in a constant state of war

After beating Jon Jones in back-to-back fights, Anthony Smith's Cinderella story may very well be complete. However, while fairy-tale endings may seem great in books as well as the movies, real life is much more unforgiving.

Smith would have a murderers' row lined up to try and dethrone him. One of the unlikeliest challengers would be the man to last beat Smith, Thiago Santos -- a former Middleweight whose most recent fight also came at Light-Heavyweight, in a TKO win over Eryk Anders.

Furthermore, destroyers such as Alexander Gustafsson, Dominick Reyes, an irate Jon Jones as well as several others would be licking their chops at the prospect of demolishing Smith. The combat sports world may continue underestimating him, however, Lionheart shall continue to defy the odds.

It's never over. An MMA fighter is in a constant state of war all through his/her career in the fight game. While most pundits may write him off against Jones, I, for one, believe that you mustn't underestimate anyone.

When Lionheart catches Bones on the jaw -- crumpling the latter to the canvas -- as the younger son from Stockton, California would say -- Don't be surprised *************!