The current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion maintains his reign at the top. After a UFC record setting seventh successful Light Heavyweight title defense, Jonathan Dwight “Jon” Jones is still the man to beat. This past Saturday he dominated Brazilian native Glover Teixeira  at the Baltimore Arena to claim his latest victory, UFC 172.

Upon winning the title on March 2011, at the age of 23, Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history. He has gone on to have the longest win streak in UFC Light Heavyweight history and is now ranked the #1 Light Heavyweight fighter in the world and considered  by various media outlets as the #1 pound for pound best fighter in the world.

Jones encountered his greatest challenge last year in Alexander Gustafsson. Following the victory he surpassed Tito Ortiz’s record of the most consecutive title defenses (six) of the UFC Light Heavyweight championship.

Adding to his growing myth is the current global sponsorship deal he has with Nike, making Jones the first mixed martial artist to be sponsored by the leading activewear company on an international scale. He is also the first fighter in MMA history to have his own shoe line.

We spoke exclusively with the champion during an afternoon lunch, and photo shoot for HOMBRE, held earlier this week in New York City.

HOMBRE: How is it to be the youngest UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in history?
Jon Jones: It feels great. Not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate it. It’s a testament to hard work, a lot of years of dedication, and faithfulness. I want it forever.

H: Did you aspire to be a UFC champion as a youngster?
JJ: No, not really. I always wanted to be in law enforcement. I wanted to be a police officer. Then growing up I wanted to be a Division 1 National Wrestling Champion, but I ended up having a kid at a young age and having to leave school early, so that dream was crushed for me. I stayed positive. I stayed faithful, optimistic and I had a great work ethic. I decided to use all that energy, all that positivity towards something else. I improvised a little bit and ended up finding mixed martial arts and I’m here today.

H: Who were some of your role models coming up?
JJ: Anderson Silva, I’m a big fan of Silva; Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Bruce Lee.

H: How did you prepare for Saturday’s fight with Teixeira? 
JJ: I’ve trained so hard. I changed my diet. My cardio is at a real high level. I worked on some of my weaknesses. Some of the things I’m not too coordinated at. I became comfortable with those positions. I grew from my last fight. My last fight was very close and I used that as motivation so that this fight won’t be as close and I’ll be more on the dominant side.

H: Speaking of which, what has been your toughest fight this far?
JJ: I would have to say my last fight against Alexander Gustafsson, a tall amazing fighter from Sweden. He pushed me the hardest. Actually cut me over my right eye. I have to wear a permanent scar now because of him. He pushed five rounds. I’m happy I had that fight because I got to be pushed to my limit and grow stronger and come out on top.

H: What does having a Nike global endorsement deal mean to your career?
JJ: It means a lot to be sponsored by Nike, for Nike to see great things in me, invest in me and my brand. Being such a mainstream company it’s given other companies the okay to work with me.
It’s opened doors for me and I’m grateful for the time I have spent with Nike.

H: What can you tell our readers about nutrition and exercise?
JJ: As far as nutrition, nutrition is everything. What you put in your body affects your training, affects your recovery, your thinking. I’m really big into nutrition. Staying away from carbs and stuff like that, gluten, just taking care of your body. Your body is everything. Your body is your temple and I respect my body.
As for working out, I train real hard. I know that you only get what you earn and no athlete deserves anything. I’ve earned a lot through hard work and dedication so I’m a huge fan of doing things right, especially when it comes to my training and nutrition.

“You want it? Come and get it.”

H: What advice can you give young people who look up to you?
JJ: My advice would be to be extremely passionate first and foremost. To have passion and belief, a lot of self belief and you have to have a work ethic. Without a work ethic a dream will only be a dream. So that’s it: passion, faith and work ethic. With those three things you can’t be denied.

H: What are your plans following Saturday’s fight?
JJ: My goal is to continue to rise and elevate. Be innovative. Find new ways to enhance my life as a father, as a man, as a Christian, as a fighter. Just to continue to grow and make my team and my family happy.

UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones with HOMBRE Magazine’s Francisco Romeo

Interview was conducted prior to UFC 172 and has been updated following Jon Jones victory.
For more information visit http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC172
Jon Jones photographed exclusively for HOMBRE by Paul Tirado.
Location: Rosa Mexicano, New York City

Special thanks to UFC and Dave Lockett, Lenee Breckenridge, Nadia Hernandez.