By Joe Ferraro

With UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida just days away, a variety of questions have risen to the surface pertaining to some of the event’s athletes and matchups. While the list may be endless, here are few that come to mind.

Jon (Bones) Jones’ legacy

He started off 2011 as a prospect. He defeated Ryan Bader in February, in what was billed as “prospect vs. prospect” bout to confirm his contender status. He was rewarded with a title shot vs. champion Mauricio (Shogun) Rua. He defeated the MMA legend in March and then subsequently defeated Quinton (Rampage) Jackson in September.

On Saturday night, he has the chance to defeat a third former champion in Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida, potentially writing the final chapter in what may go down as the greatest year for a mixed martial artist of all time. At the tender age of 24 years old, he’s already amassed a “Hall of Fame” worthy career, whose bar may reach unattainable heights by any other fighter. You may disagree, but let’s talk soon. For now, he must first slay the dragon.

Jones’ chin, heart and ground game

Will this be the fight where the champ’s chin is tested? Will his heart and resiliency be on display should Machida put him in trouble? And will his grappling skills be on display should Machida be able to take him down and put him on his back?

Will the Fight of the Night be the co-main event?

When Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira lock horns in their rematch, this has all the making of an incredible tilt. It has an undertone of “unfinished business” that is growing louder by the day.

Mir wants to prove that his victory in their first bout was legit and not a fluke. Big Nog wants to prove otherwise, citing the fact he was far from 100 per cent heading into the scrap, and that after multiple recoveries and numerous surgeries, he is back to the level he showcased in his heyday for Pride FC. This tilt could steal the show on Saturday night.

The pink slip or retirement?

Tito Ortiz and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira can ill afford a loss at UFC 140. For “The People’s Champ,” it may spell the end of his career, even if he has one fight left on his contract. For his Brazilian counterpart, it may be the final time we see him in the Octagon. A third straight loss in the UFC generally means the end of the line for most under the UFC banner.

Emotional rollercoaster

2011 has been a tumultuous year for featherweight Mark Hominick. At UFC 129 in April, he put on a Fight of the Year performance vs. champion Jose Aldo Jr. Two weeks later, he became a father. Three months later, he lost his friend, mentor and coach Shawn Tompkins, who tragically passed away on Aug. 14. In 29 professional fights, Shawn has always been there. This time, Mark will not see him in his corner and hear his legendary words of wisdom and encouragement.

How will Hominick deal with every scenario he must face without “The Coach” being there? The weigh-in process and stepping onto the scale? The pep talks the night before and in the dressing room the night of the fight? The wrapping of his hands? Not having Shawn there in between rounds?

And when his opponent Chan Sung Jung, “The Korean Zombie,” is pressing him to brawl and not fight, what does he do then? What if the fight goes more than one round, and he heads back to his corner and Shawn is not there? It will not be easy for “The Machine,” so resiliency will be key for him, all week long.