Dan Henderson isn't buying into the Jon Jones hype, says "Bones" has a lot to improve on
Posted on November 15, 2011, 01:12 PM by Joey Santosus
"I do think that would be a fight I would enjoy. He’s awkward and unorthodox and it creates something to think about and how to beat that, and that’s what excites me these days. Guys that are a big challenge, and he would be more cause he’s awkward and dangerous at the same time, but I think he matches up really well with me style wise. I’m not one to buy into things too quickly. I’ve been doing this for a long time and seen a lot of guys beat a lot of tough guys really quick and then die out. I think he’s going to be around a long time, he’s just going to get better. But at this point he’s still got a lot to improve on, and he’s athletic and talented and he does learn. He’s got a huge future, but I think he’s got a little ways to go." - For more from Dan Henderson, visit MMAWeekly.com
After his meteoric rise to the top of the division, many have already began to proclaim Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones as one of the all-time greats at 205. But, make no "bones" about it, former PRIDE champ, Dan Henderson, isn't one of them. According to "Hendo", the 24-year-old presents an exciting challenge, but at this point, still has a lot to improve on before the veteran is willing to buy into what some are selling.
Henderson (28-8) posted a 3-2 mark in his latest UFC stint before jumping ship to sign with Strikeforce when the two parties failed to come to terms on a contract extension. In the time since, the Team Quest fighter has won three of his last four outings, including victories over Rafael Cavalcante to capture the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title and, in his latest effort, a first-round TKO win over top ranked Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. Set to make his octagon return this Saturday night against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, a victory over the Brazilian will likely put Henderson in line to challenge the winner of UFC 140's headlining bout between Jones and Lyoto Machida. So what do you think LowKick'ers? Could Hendo's "H-Bomb" be the weapon that dethrones Jonny "Bones," or is Machida vs. Shogun III the more likely scenario?
Further Reading: UFC 139: Rua vs. Henderson In-Depth Preview
Photo: Scott Hirano
Comments
I dont like Hendo's chances against Jones....like the Rampage fight, I dont see Hendo getting close enough to Jones to KO him, Jones will prolly use the same game plan he had against Page and eventually finish Hendo
Probably a Rear-Naked Choke finish too.
Hendo is never hesitant to pull the trigger like Rampage was. That could be the key to beating Jones.
Dan didn't say what jones ould improve on...he better focus on trying to improve himself.
Agree with sambo. Dan would let those hands go and at least have a shot. Rampage denied Jones' takedowns so I believe Dan could do the same. I actually think Dan has a better shot than most in the division. Hope he gets that shot before he gets way too old.
Thats true but Ramapge didnt even come close to even punching Jones's face so its gonna be hard for Hendo also, Jones's reach is prolly his biggest strength
True. Hendo's style could very well be the one to defrone the champ.
After all styles make fights in this MMA game.
I don't think any striker has any more than a puncher's chance against Jones. He uses his length too well and his clinch work and wrestling means he can instantly neutralise a guy who gets on the inside. I think a BJJ wizard or a mean wrestler (Rashad?) has the best shot at controlling him.
Yeah well hendo is not just a powerstriker.. he's a former OLYMPIC Greco-Roman Wrestler as well.. he's probably stronger than Bones too.
Yeah I wasn't saying Hendo's not got tools. I just don't think he can beat Jones with his striking. I don't think any striker can realistically (there's obviously always puncher's chance)
They all think Jones has a lot to improve on until they get TKO'd or submitted, and it sucks for the LHW division even more when Jones DOES improve.
Getting ahead of yourself Hendo? Maybe you should worry about Shogun right now, not Jones.
The person I've thought for awhile had the style to possibly beat Jones happens to be his next opponent: Machida. I think it's a perfect matchup to answer lingering questions about the young champion. If Bones has too small a gas tank, Lyoto can empty it. If there are openings in Jones' unorthodox striking, Machida will expose them. If anyone understands and uses range in striking as well as Jon Jones in LHW, it's Lyoto Machida. Machida has better BJJ than any opponent Jones has faced (except maybe Bonnar), and he's great at neutralizing unwanted grapples. Honestly, if Jones hadn't been so dominant so far in his career, I think Machida would be the favorite on paper.
Jones might just beat the crap out of him like he does everyone else. But if Lyoto is on, we might get to see a tired and frustrated Jones going into Round 3, at which point it becomes veeeery interesting...
I would pay to see Hendo and bones throw down. But Dan is right about Jones only getting better. He just means that Bones hasn't hit his peak yet. As hard as he is to beat now more often than not becomes more difficult of a task as he improves. But Hendo would bring it to the champ. I for one am glad to see him back in the UFC. Been watching him since the Pride days. I always wondered who would win between him and Shogun.
I like the Machita matchup as well. The Dragon should present Bones with a few puzzles to figure out; like be a great counter strikerfor one, and also having power in his strikes as well. Bones is good, that's for sure. But so is Machita. Can't wait.
I think Dan is the first one who is mentally stronger than jones....
and Dan is NOT easy to finish, and he has that KO power...
would be an interesting fight for sure.
decision,sub,KO,whatever they way I just want Hendo to lose!!!!!!!!!
Why? Did he had fun whit your mom?
I would be more worried about Shoguns leg attack than wsting breath on jones. Hendo has looked very slow recently against elusive fighters. Watch the Bisping fight again, he couldn't even get off at all. Had Bisping not made the mistake of circling into Hendersons power right hand.....well who knows. Rua will mix it up well and pick Dan apart IMO if healthy. Win your fight first, then move on to talk smack.
I think Jones will keep improving, but it's not like he's shown any holes in his game so far, so this sounds a bit like sour grapes to me.
Or maybe grumpy old man syndrome? It must be hard for Hendo to see a 24 year old kid win and keep with ease, the belt he never managed to get.
Don't get me wrong, Hendo maybe old but is still a threat. And I would rather see Jones vs. Hendo than a rematch against Rua, because I don't think Shogun would do any better the 2nd time around against Bones.
But this is a very tough fight to call. I think Shogun is quicker and has more weapons, but then we all know Hendo can finish a fight with one punch.
What is a much easier call, is Jones vs. Machida. The Dragon really hasn't impressed since he took the belt from Rashad. His style depends on a lot on counter attacking and we all saw how well that worked for Rampage.
Honestly looking at style, statistics,and history from both fighters on paper, I think Jones would demolish Henderson for the following reasons:
1) Henderson has shown to actually be fairly safe to fight if you put him on his back. Jones is really good at that.
2) Speed. Jon Jones moves around the ring way faster than Hendo, and his strikes are fairly quick too.
3) Size. Hendo walks around at LHW (bout 203 his last fight), is 5'11" and has a 71" reach. Jon Jones cuts about 30-35 pounds to get down to 205, is 6'4", and has an 84.5" reach. He'll make Hendo look like an angry dwarf.
4) Gameplan. Jones' arsenal is diverse and unpredictable. Henderson's biggest hope comes in a move he is well known for, the "H-Bomb". However, since that punch needs to travel up 5 inches and traverse 13.5 inches of reach disadvantage, it'll be really hard to land it. And Jones doesn't need Greg Jackson in his ear telling him to punish him every time he tries it.
Here's a wild card question though... Anyone think Dan could try to take Jones down and successfully pound him out?