Oddsmakers place Jon Jones as overwhelming favorite versus Dan Henderson
Posted on April 28, 2012, 06:36 PM by Mike DrahotaNews comes as no surprise that oddsmakers have Current UFC Light Heavyweight favorite as an early -565 betting favorite over his next next opponent, Dan Henderson. Jones comes in high off the heels of a three-fight title-defense streak, in which he bested a former UFC champ in every match. Victories over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, and finally Rashad Evans have started the debate over Jon Jones being the best Light Heavyweight ever, already. No one has been able to get inside the striking range of Jones, who boasts the best reach advantage in the UFC, and apparently not too many are giving Henderson to accomplish this.
Dan Henderson no doubt deserves a shot at a UFC title, and Light Heavyweight is where he prefers to fight. With an impressive streak of his own going, he has bested high-level competition in Renato Sobral, Rafael Cavalcante, the great Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko, and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in his last four fights. Bringing atomic-level power to the table is what Henderson has been known for as of late, but many forget that he is an Olympic-level Greco Roman practitioner as well. All of this does not seem to matter to the oddsmakers, however, and no one is giving anyone any chance at Jones right now if “Hendo” is such a big dog.
It is almost impossible to argue that Jon Jones is not a runaway freight train right now. He has looked almost untouchable as the UFC champion. Can Henderson somehow find a way to put him on his back and actually hurt him, something he has alluded to in several interviews? Or will the much rangier Jones keep his opponent at bay as he has done without stopping his whole career? The experts would obviously have us believe the latter.
Further Reading: Dan Henderson: I will fight my fight against Jon Jones
Comments
There is no suprize in that...
Henderson is saying the same thing that all of JJ last 5opponents have been saying, "You need to fight your fight, not his fight" ......
Easier said than done...especially when you have at least a 10inch reach disadvantage. Fighters think they can just claim their strategy and it will be different with them....pull your heads out of your asses.
JJ is not stupid and he is always coutious with fighter with a one punch knockout ability.
If HENDO can handle FIVE ROUNDS he will be CHAMP
If Hendo lasts 5 rounds his face will be an awful mess.
Should be a great fight for Jones, Hendo is one of those guys you really have to watch out for and never want to exchange with, ever. Jones is a great fighter, and he has so much more to learn, on the other hand Hendo has a great deal of experience. I agree that Jones has the advantage; however, he has been tagged before, so I'm not too sure the "overwhelming" odds are as "overwhelming" as these oddsmakers believe.
Hendo, ken-flo, J-lo...if anyone calls him J-jo...I plan on giving up on all humanity and moving out.
Bo-jo round 3?
BIG SURPRISE!
evans did catch jones with a few overhand rights tho
I think Evans is an overall better striker than Henderson. Hendo just has crazy power, which won't matter if his slow ass can't land it.
Evans is also really fast so is Machida, the only two to really hit Jones, Dan is slow.
Dan does not have the fluid, constant speed of Suga and Machita. But he has some very explosive bursts with his combos and will often display this when he has caught some one with that heavy right; making him a superb finisher. I'm giving him the puncher's chance..... But I give everyone that Bones fights what little chance they have. I can dream can't I?
I agree JTalbain. Rashad has much faster hands and feet, making him much more capable of closing that distance before Jones can react. I don't think Hendo will be able to cleanly land the H-Bomb on Jones. He will probably come close, but I don't think it will happen. I see Jones taking Hendo down and finishing him with nasty elbows in Round 2.
Jones has never fought a fighter like Hendo. Hendo will take the fight to him and man he's a beast. I betting Hendo will be the new champ. He has a iron chin. A monster right. More experience and has beat the best in a few divisions. Hendo doesn't back down and I know Jones will never put him to sleep. Jones only way to win is choke or stoppage due to bleeding and I don't see that happening.
shogun...granted...the rustiness is in question of that fight, but would have taken him still.
Who doesn't like Hendo. There are numerous reasons while our sentimental favorite won't win. This isn't like Couture against Tim Silvia. This is more like Couture against Machida. The inexorable father time has to be playing a role as well. In the fourth round of this fight Jones's arms won't be rubber.
I can see hendo going into this fight the way he normally does, going for that big overhand right, BUT i think he'll probably be wanting to use it to set up his clinch game and couture jones for 5 rounds. If he can do that, or land one of those big overhand rights, he has a shot. I seriously doubt it though.
If anyone can find a weakness or hole to exploit in JJ's game, Hendo would have one of the better chances... but not a good chance.
Jones's style can really be a puzzle and I think Hendo will have a hard time get any kind of rhythm to his striking,
Hendo is going to have to work his way inside and when he does a never before seen choke or a spinning elbow will finish the night.
The x-factor as always is Jackson...he will have a gameplan and be ready for what Henderson will bring IMO
If hendo can Knock Out Bisping, then it means he has a good chance against Jon Jones.
:)
This fight wont pass the second round....JJ will beat Dan no problem.
Of course he's an overwhelming favorite.
Does somebody know the meaning of BJJ?
Bones Johnny Jones