With UFC 145 Jones vs Evans coming up,i was just thinking about the progress jones has made and is making.
Jones made his mma debut in april 2008,he made his UFC debut in august 2008 and won by unanimous decision.Since then his only loss has come via disqualification and he has finished 13 out of his 16 fights via tko/ko/submission.Ominous to say the least.
When i saw jones against bonnar i was very impressed,but as he started to rack up the wins and not just winning,he was finishing his opponents in brutal fashion,throwing spinning elbows,unleashing nasty ground and pound,his elbows were like knives.Here is a fighter who is a giant in that octagon,at 6 ft 4,205lbs and with a reach of 84 inches he is physically perfect,add to that vicious striking,immense strength,very high level wrestling,a very underestimated submission game and the unpredictability,he becomes a god.The scary thing is,he's getting better and better.His TKO win over shogun left me speechless.4 years since he made his mma debut,he's holding the LHW belt and defending it for the 3rd time,and all that at the age of 24.
I know in mma you can never really say how great somebody will be because a lot can change,you can be caught by a good punch,you could get injured,but jones has everything he needs to fufill his true potential.i also think his greg jackson is key to his progress,keeping him grounded,and giving him good advice and direction.
So when saturday comes around i know i will be glued to my seat,when two former friends step into the octagon,one looking to get one step closer to greatness,and another hoping to do everything he can to stop it,and reclaim the belt that was once around his waist.
Jon Jones Potentially The Greatest Ever?!!
posted on 19/4/12
Depends what is meant by greatest ever I suppose.
On achievements he has not bettered the guys you list, but pound for pound, is he better than they were at their peak? I would say probably.
posted on 19/4/12
I guess we'll never know that, but i see your point....i have to put GSP on that list but he will never be the greatest because he simply isnt exciting enough.
Im holding out for a Jones/Silva superfight but Jones has already stated he wants to move up to HW
posted on 19/4/12
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posted on 20/4/12
He has the potential to be the greatest yeah definatly, but in my opinion he has not reached that far yet. He is still behind a few fighters yet....id go as this -
1. Anderson Silva
2. Fedor
3. GSP
4. Dan Henderson
5. Jon Jones
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Im going to be controvserial now....
I treat any of these so called elite fighters than have gained a reputation through other organisations other than UFC with disdain.
I honestly dont believe that many of the so called Pride Superstars have actually been that good.
When you drill it down, who have they actually beaten? A few nameless Japanese fighters and a few journeymen.
Take Cro Cop for example. granted he has some spectacular highlight reels, but he's beaten no one of merit and his time in the UFC backs this up.
The most overrated fighters for me would be
1. Cro Cop
2. Alistair Overeem
3. Fedor
4. Wanderlei Silva
5. Vitor Belfort
posted on 20/4/12
You mjst be joking right? I cant takw that seriously....PRIDE was the number 1 promotion back then, the UFC was in the dark ages at that time....who was the UFC's bih heavyweight at the time of Fedor's reign? Andrey Arlovski? Come on....just because they have got older and declined doesnt mean they are overated....have you seen any of their old fights?
posted on 20/4/12
Maybe it's because I'm a new wave fan, but there is not many that have come from Pride that have been successful. Maybe its not just the Pride Fighters, but look at recent years and the Japanese fighters that have come to the UFC with a massive reputation and none have impressed me.
Regarding the age argument, Cro Crop was in the UFC 5 years ago, when he was meant to be in his prime!
posted on 20/4/12
I think you have a fair point.
MMA has moved on so quickly that the new breed are likely to be a cut above.
posted on 20/4/12
Thats my main point.
At the time Fedor was fighting there was no HW options, so In one respect he can only beat what is put in front of him. But on the other hand he's then faced Hendo, Bigfoot and Werdum and been beaten 3 in a row!
And he's dodged the UFC for years!
posted on 20/4/12
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posted on 5/8/12
Very suprised Gracie doesn't get a mention in an all time best! In his prime he was the perfect fighter!