So, firstly I am going to write a list of who I think the most dangerous threats to Jones' title are, then I'm going to write why!
Just to clarify, Number 1 will be the most dangerous threat in my opinion, number 5 will be the least.
Again to clarify, these are just the guys ranked inside the top 5 of the UFC Light Heavyweight division.
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| (Photo Courtesy of Zuffa, UFC.) |
Threats To Jon Jones:
Number 5: Rashad Evans
Jones has fought and beat Evans before, decisively. I think it would play out pretty much the same if these two guys fought again. Evans wouldn't be able to get inside the reach of Jon Jones and Jones would outwrestle Evans throughout the fight. Honestly, I do not think Rashad deserves to be in the top 5, but he is, and unless he changes his game drastically I cannot see him even coming close to troubling Jon Jones on fight night.
Number 4: Glover Teixeira
Glover Teixeira has power in his hands and a slick submission game, but in my opinion he won't trouble most of the guys in the top 5. Glover fights Jones next at UFC 172, and in my opinion, Jones keeps the distance, controls the standup game and stand off his back, I think Glover will tire and that's when Jon will start to tee off. The only person I see him beating is Rashad and that's because Rashad's chin is questionable and Glover has huge power in his hands.
Number 3: Phil Davis
Phil is a smart guy, he wants to get a title shot without facing Daniel Cormier or Alexander Gustafsson. He has started complaining about the champion being 'weak' and 'soft', in my opinion this is just to get a quick pass to a UFC title shot. Dana White is also a smart guy and will probably pair Davis up with Alexander Gustafsson as Daniel Cormier is already in talks to schedule a fight with Dan Henderson. Phil has beat Gustafsson before, but not again, I think Gustafsson finishes Davis on the feet and I think Daniel Cormier outwrestles Davis. The main concern for Cormier if he fights Davis will probably be Davis' striking, but do not doubt Cormier's striking, he has legit power at 205 and will be able to hurt almost everybody in the division, including Phil Davis, while Davis is fighting Anthony Johnson next, if he gets through him, I think the UFC gives him Alexander Gustafsson.
Number 2: Alexander Gustafsson
Almost all UFC fans rank Gus as the biggest threat to Jones' title, but in my opinion, he falls to Daniel Cormier. I mentioned in my last post that Cormier has legit striking, but I'll admit, it's nowhere near the level of Alexander Gustafsson, but... Cormier does have a wrestling advantage. Gustafsson put Jones through his toughest test to date, and lost a close Unanimous Decision to the champ. We are yet to see Cormier fight a big name at 205, but he will have more power, speed and better cardio at the weight class. Gus is an excellent fighter, no doubt about it, but if they fought, I think Cormier plays it safe, comes in with a smart game plan and outwrestles Gustafsson to pick up the Decision victory.
Number 1: Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier is a different kind of beast at Light Heavyweight, and he is in my opinion, the biggest threat to Jon Jones' title. Cormier has sublime wrestling and he is improving his striking every day at his gym American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) with his good friend and Heavyweight Champion, Cain Velasquez. In my opinion Cormier has better wrestling than Jones and has the power to knock Jones out, but, yes there is a 'but'. That 'but' is the downfall of so many of Jon Jones' opponents. Cormier has better wrestling than Jones and can probably take him down, but can he close the distance to get that takedown? That is the big question on my mind. I don't know if Daniel Cormier can get past Jon Jones' humongous reach, but I do know that Javier Mendez and the rest of the coaching staff will be working hard on it every single day. If they did fight, the fight could go so many different ways, but in my opinion, it will be a tactical battle for the ages, that is until somebody gets caught or gets the takedown. Here's how I think it would play out. I think they would both be very cautious at the start of the fight, but as time wore on I think Daniel Cormier would start trying to get inside the reach of Jon Jones to set up a takedown, I think Jones would use movement, angles and one specific kick to keep Daniel Cormier out. The front leg side kick is one that Jones uses so much now, and that is the perfect kick to use if he wants to keep Daniel Cormier out, Cormier said he doesn't mind getting hit but can you imagine you coming forward at full speed and your knee getting stomped on, it could damage ligaments, it could pop your knee, there is a huge danger coming in against Jones just because of that kick. This is an intriguing matchup and at the end of the day, I think it is Jon Jones who would prevail with a Decision victory, a extremely close one though.
Well, that's all for this post fight fans, if you agree, disagree, or would just like to add something to this post, feel free to comment.
Hope you enjoyed the read Junior Fight Fans!
-John.
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