If you think of it in terms of styles, I really see this as an MMA version of Ali v Smokin Joe in terms of the stand up, for obvious reasons (not a direct comparison boxing fans, just a battle of reach and movement v power and in fighting) You have to give the wrestling advantage to Cormier though, but I bet Jones has a nasty triangle off his back
I don't think you can really say for sure what would happen in this match, especially Jones not hitting hard enough to keep Cormier off him.
One thing that might be in Jones favour is that Cormier is easy to hit and looks to have quite a bit of scar tissue around his left eye and looks prone to damage there. Jones quick, pinpoint and hurtful elbows could exploit this. But Cormier looks freakishly strong in the clinch. A very bad man indeed.
Im not disagreeing as Jones' guard is a bit of a mystery as it stands but we'll see it tested a HW. As I said in reference to this you have to favour Cormier in the wrestling. Barnett is a big strong HW and Dan was one step short of ragdolling him in the clinch, and that throw speaks for itself and you've mentioned the ground yourself
jones gets dominated in every position possible, if he starts those ***** kicks he does cormier will pin him and pound him, cormier has some fluid enough striking and he possesses some serious natural power although after a few rounds this power in his shots seems to fade jones gets ****ed up
Cormier has excellent striking for an Olympic level wrestler but I think a few might be over estimating it slightly. The last two guys he fought were not the most elusive and he wont have such a speed advantage V Jones. Still have Cormier as favourite though, just sayin'.