Call it: Jon JONES (Bader fight, 2011) vs Shogun RUA (Pride Grand Prix, 2005)

Pre-surgery was a beast, he was a different level and probably the greatest light heavyweight mixed martial artist anyone has seen when on that form.

 

Jones TKO.

 

Jones via anything and one more thing, he makes it look easy.

 

Are you stupid? Rua have beaten legends in brutal fashion, and he will beat Jones Easy:hi:

 

Shogun Sub

 

Shogun via 1st round soccer kick.

 

Nope. I've actually watched Shogun's early fights. Shogun's losses all came to guys that essentially outgrappled him such as Babalu, Coleman, and Griffin. I feel like Jones' grappling ability and strength combined with his overall length will allow him to manhandle shogun like he has everyone else.

 

Losing to Babalu in your 5th fight is more of an achievement than anyone Jones has beaten so far,
And I seem to remember him breaking his arm when posting badly in the 1st Coleman fight, bad mistake but hardly out grappled.
Now the Griffin fight. I think in all honesty it was the knee surgery and lack of cardio that lost Shogun that fight.
Also if you've seen Shoguns earlier fights against well know strong grapplers Lil Nog, Randleman, Arona and Rampage execept for Nog the all got ktfo or subbed. Now how does manhandling the likes of Vera and Vlad and Bader lead you to that decisive conclusion? Shoguns the one whos beaten the better grapplers in his career
He's also beaten some of the best strikers in the division aswell. Overeem ktfo twice, Machida hit more times than ever in the 1st and ktfo in the 2nd. Rampage, known for his ability to take punishment left a heaving mess unable to stand up in the corner
Now Im a fan of Jones as much as the next MMA fan, brightest prospect in the world atm. But in no way should he be favoured over Shogun to the extent that he has been since the match was announced. Especially with a dimissive 'manhandled' type statement. Shoguns legit, and if Jones does manhandle him I'll sing his praises. But thats a big IF imo

 

Many will disagree but I think the Shogun who beat Machida was better than the one who won the MWGP in 2005.

He's been though some bad injuries and they resulted in some less than great performances but before the latest injury he was back to his best physicalyl aswell as having improved technically, most obviously his boxing.

 

I have no idea how to answer this one.

Can Jones take punches?

Can he take kicks?

Is he strong enough to manhandle an elite guy like Shogun?

 

When you get a dynamic and flashy fighter, eventually someone comes along to make them pay big time for it. Rua is that persons kryptonite. Ask Machida.

 

Measured, fair and spot-on post IMO :good

 

Uh yeah - I just answered you so why reask me the same question. Agree to disagree. Move on. COme back and eat crow on March 20th.

 

:happy