I'm not one of those guys that creams over Jones's reach advantage, reach is a benefit in a fight but it's really not the insurmountable obstacle that so many seem to think it is. Jones is a dynamite fighter because of his skills, not because of his reach. Machida was able to get inside that reach, land clean punches, and get out again, it was not Jon's reach which won him that fight, it was his versatility in being able to use his wrestling, GnP, and grappling abilities to turn the fight in his favour. Anyway, my point here is, that with Hendo being now primarily a striker who doesn't have anywhere near the speed or craft of Machida, this is one fight where the reach difference IS going to be an insurmountable obstacle. 13.5inches is just too much, that's a crazy difference in what will surely be a stand-up fight for the vast majority of it. Jones will pick Hendo apart with strikes until Dan tires in the championship rounds, and then probably secure a sub. The only reason I'm still in favour of the fight (being a Hendo fan) is the H-bomb. I don't think Dan can land it, but anything can happen in a fight, and I believe Dan carries a good bit more concussive power than Machida does. If Hendo manages to sneak in a big right in an exchange, that will really be the acid test for Bones's chin.
He is young and wrestless (see what I did there). Seriously though, 4 fights in 2011 and then he is going to sit out for 5 months or whatever, thats hard. Good on him for coming back quickly.
See Couture vs Sylvia for the blueprint on how Henderson needs to fight Jones. Hendo has a better chance than Couture because he has a proverbial puncher's chance.
I don't see it happening at all. The hendo bomb can be seen coming a mile away, I think Jones' reach and reflexes are too much for it. I see hendo catching a knee and getting a quick GnP for the finish. I'll pay too watch it for sure :happy
I don't think I can stomach another Pride legend and one of my favourite fighters get dominated by Jones...
Now thats a fighter! Much better than the primadonnas who barely has 2 fights a year. Hard to dislike a champion who goes out looking for challenges.
Of course that's entirely possible as Jones seems indomitable at the moment. However Dan Henderson is no one to be taken lightly and if his right hand was so easy to see he wouldn't have knocked out three of his last five opponents with it. Hendo is a threat to anyone.
Hendo is the GOAT but I can't see him lasting two rounds. Now if this was a rematch against Silva, then that would be interesting.
I like the Hendo getting the next shot because he's waiting, his stock is as high as it will get and Rashad-Davis are fighting anyway. The timeline will be good.