UFC May Have Found Its Golden Boy in Jon Jones

Most UFC fans are already well acquainted with Jon Bones Jones.

The light heavyweight champion is the youngest fighter to ever wear the belt, and mixed martial art enthusiasts are in awe over Jones's excellent wrestling techniques as well as his effective spin moves -- using kicks and elbows before getting his opponent on the mat.

However, what changed everything for Jones, and perhaps the young sport of MMA, was what happened before his recent title fight against Shogun Rua.

After coming to the rescue of an elderly woman who was being robbed in Paterson, New Jersey, Jones went on to completely dominate Rua with a technical knockout that very same night.

Paterson has its rough areas, and Jones and his team were able to track down the mugger, and contain him until the police arrived. Like something out of Hollywood, Jones instantly became a media sensation.

It was a story that found its way outside of the UFC fan circle and blogosphere, and into the water cooler areas within days. For a sport that continues to languish behind more established sports, and has been interpreted by many as too brutal to even be considered a sport, stories like Jones's heroics can't help but shed a positive light on fighters who sometimes struggle to receive long-term recognition.

After the Shogun Rua fight, Jones appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and charmed the audience with his heroics in Paterson, and did it with an almost aw shucks, I'm no hero, ma'am demeanor.

Even on ESPN's Rome is Burning, a show that doesn't typically discuss UFC, Jim Rome called out Jones's bravery, as well his domination of Rua.

While many UFC fighters celebrate their testosterone and bravado, Jones is quick to smile, he's articulate, and consistently gracious.

More than anything, the sport needs an ambassador, and Jones's charisma could propel him into the same global stratosphere as LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Manny Pacquiao, Alex Rodriguez, and Lionel Messi.

In other words, UFC president Dana White may have found his Golden Boy.

Raised in upstate New York, Jones may have learned his gentile temperament from his father, who is a works as a pastor. Jones also comes from a prestigious athletic family, which might explain his natural talent.

Jones has two defensive lineman brothers. Older brother Arthur was drafted last year in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens, while younger brother Chandler is making a name for himself at Syracuse.

It also helps that Jones is simply an excellent MMA fighter. He only has one loss, and that came on a disqualification to Matt Hamill for an illegal elbow. Jones isn't some street brawler, either. He honed his wrestling skills at Iowa Central Community College, where he who won a national championship in 2006.

The 23-year-old has climbed to a number-seven ranking on Sherdog.com's best pound-for-pound fighter in UFC list. In his next fight, Jones will challenge his friend Rashad Evans, who is ranked as the tenth-best pound-for-pound fighter.

It will be hard to bet against Jones. It also may be just as hard to route against him. Many who want to MMA to thrive likely know the importance of attaching a face to the sport.

Though it won't need a hero to save the day like the Paterson woman thankfully had on that March 19th day, UFC still yearns for a marketable star to build on and strengthen its brand.

It appears that Jon Bones Jones is that guy.