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

i don't either, but win or lose - jones is a standard-bearer for MMA for years to come.

the guy is still developing but just look at him go!

even at 23, i won't be surprised if jones wins. he's a special fighter.

 

Im just calling it as I see it fella :huh
Im not emotionally invested in either fighter to be honest, Im a fan of both. But a wise man once said ''Sometimes hype just aint enough''

 

Threads like this are full of nothing but nostalgia or hype.

 

I'm not trying to be pissy.

I'm a fan of both as well. Let me ask you this - have you ever trained grappling? jiujitsu? Or just wrestling? If so - have you ever grappled with a guy that is taller and longer than you? If not - then ask someone who has. Longer fighters have a tremendous advantage in grappling because they can just reach all the way around their opponent no matter where they are on the mat.

That's the way Jones is when he grapples his opponents in the LHW ranks. His arms are so long that he can keep them tied up in knots. Shogun has always had a weaker ground game in my eyes and I thought his fight with Nogueira was close enough that it could have gone to Lil Nog. Shogun was lucky enough to catch Randleman in a knee bar before they even had a chance to really lock up. Once Coleman started locking up with Shogun he tripped him down and Shogun didn't even post out his arm correctly. That's basic grappling 101 ****. Learn how to place your arm so it doesn't break when you're thrown. Griffin choked Shogun with a RNC. That's as outgrappled as one can get when you're submitted from rear mount by your opponent.

Jones poses the same problems as Griffin did and is the much stronger wrestler in addition. At this point in time, Jon Jones will most likely toss around anyone he fights in the LHW division with the exception of Randy Couture. Jones is going to be all over Shogun, toss him around like a doll and eventually batter him into submission or lock in some bizarre choke in a way that a smaller fighter could not - but because he is bigger and stronger he can get away with doing those sorts of things.

 

Beautiful! just a beautiful post.

 

that's a very good post.
i come from a wrestling background and i've tried to develop from there and i agree with everything you say.

the biggest enemy i think jones has is his ego now.
wasn't long ago he was saying that he's found his calling in the MMA tentatively, and i read recently he said he was the best in the world (read that in passing so i don't know how credible it is).

it's crystal clear to everyone jones has all the tools, including one of the biggest 'it' factors on the planet though

 

JJ is indeed very talented and you make good and valid points. But I just happen to think that Jones should be more worried about getting ktfo, something he hasnt really faced either

 

I agree that is Shogun's only chance. He has to take it right to Jones. He better batter him with leg kicks and body shots to take the gas out of his tank. All of those hi-powered moves that Jones uses early in fights will sap his energy late. If Shogun survives the early storm and finds his range standing, he could wear Jones down and knock him out.

It's definitely an intriguing matchup because someone has to get KTFO or choked out one!

 

I favour Jones as well. As sugarngold points out, it's going to be very hard for Rua to stop the takedown, especially with a long layoff and a pair of knackered knees. Shogun will be on his back for most of this fight, and having a beast like Bones relentlessly attacking is going to wear him down, even if he brings his PRIDE levels of stamina. Though a solid BJJ black belt, he won't be able to hold him off forever, eventually being stopped by strikes or submission.

Shogun is more than capable of wreaking Jones standing, but if Bones fights smart he'll have little chance to. And with Greg Jackson in his corner, I'm fairly confident he'll be fighting smart.

 

Deffinately
It's the new breed of athlete against an old school brawler. But both have great technique aswell.
Hope the big fight nerves dont effect Jones and the knees likewise with Shogun. Hopefully they are both at their best

 

Shogun Rua

Why ???.... short n sweet... He`s better technically on the feet, has the BJJ to get the win from the ground if/when Jones wrestles him to ground or at the very least get back up without taking bad damage & has beaten far, far better fighters than Jones has probably ever met never mind fought.

Ps. The Rua that fought Liddell & Machida twice was the same guy that tore thru Pride in 05, after a long injury he finally got his old groove & fitness back... & if Rua can get himself like that by training his ass off then he`ll beat Jones IMO, I cant see him coming in less than 100% after what happened vs Griffin & Coleman (even tho he won, he was badly gassed), this is his 1st title defense so Im banking on him being ready.

 

Good post, I agree 100% :good