The Jon "Bones" Jones truth and hype.
Posted on March 2, 2011, 08:24 PM by doomsdayapexAt UFC 97: St. Pierre vs Penn 2, Jon Jones delivered one of the most impressive strikes in MMA history. A spinning elbow caught a veteran by surprise and made an arena filled with fans (and me at a bar hundreds of miles away) jump out of their seats and yell "DAMN!".
Now while I did enjoy the decision victory for the young Jon Jones, I began to contemplate the man's future in the Light-Heavyweight division. So as soon as I arrived home, I went straight for my laptop and went on a search frenzy for every possible Jon Jones bout available at 1am. Much to my surprise, I found four bouts (his UFC debut against Andre Gusmao, the Stephan Bonnar fight I had watched earlier and two pre-UFC bouts).
Within two hours of watching the fights, I had come to the realization that I had become a Jon Jones fan but also a realist. Afterall, how could anyone not like the young lion? The man brought excitement to a fight. And yet, he also would bring the obnoxious fans and myths (as I would soon find out).
After Jon Jones dominated and submitted Ryan Bader at UFC 126, the hype around the young fighter had grown to unrealistic levels (not expectations as a title holder but as an unstoppable force - a force to run right through the entire division with ease). That hype level would only get worse as soon as Joe Rogan announced that Jon Jones would get the spot to replace the injuried Rashad Evans in a title bout. The comments made around me were uneducated but not asinine. That is until I stumbled upon an article on the internet two days later. An article that presented the case that Jon Jones was favorite and Shogun Rua was the underdog. Although the article highlighted that Jones was the favorite merely because of his wrestling and reach, it was the comments made from fellow fans and writers that ruined it.
Fans are entitled to their own opinion but when things get out of control with outrageous claims, then it becomes an issue. Like a virus, these comments have made their way to every article involving Jon Jones across the nation. These comments are what I consider to be the mythology of Jon Jones. Unlike Fedor's adoring fans, 'The Last Emperor' established an image from a decade of invincibility and championship gold... while Jones has only captured his biggest win over a TUF graduate in Ryan Bader just recently. A fighter, who in my opinion, was wrongfully placed in the top ten rankings (even with a win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira).
So for this article, I dedicated a large amount of my time analyzing every Jon Jones fight possibly known to man (within the UFC and whatever was available outside the organization) to hopefully end some of the myths created by overly excited fans and reveal what's truly there.
Striking: I have heard it all when it comes to Jones' stand up. Unconventional, unorthodox, outstanding, Anderson Silva 2.0, etc. Yet, I can't help but wonder at what Joe Rogan called his style and skillset in his UFC debut (redimentary). In his fight with Gusmao, Jones failed to land more than half of his strikes which resulted in him gassing out by the second round. Jon, in the end, won the decision victory only because he relied on his wrestling to score points. Next we move on to the Stephan Bonnar fight. The only thing people seem to remember about that fight is the spinning elbow that caught Bonnar in the back of the head. But what people fail to remember is that Jones wore down (again) because of the amount of strikes missed. Jon, once more, reverted back to his wrestling and earned another decision victory. In perhaps one of most stunning fights in his young career against Jake "The Blanket" O'Brien, Jon was completely out-boxed by the wrestler in the entire first round. Jones was flustered and confused and failed to find his range. His only offense was found in leg kicks. So when the second round came around, Jones went back to his bread and butter (his wrestling) and submitted O'Brien in the second round. Against Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko, Jon appeared to fight the smarter fight but still left more unanswered questions than before. Although Vera had a small percentage in beating Jones, Brandon was given the striking advantage by the experts and rightfully so, in my opinion. Instead of seeing a stand up war, Jones went for the takedown and pummeled Vera into La-La Land. And finally, in his bout against Bader, Jones showed improvement in the stand up department but, unfortunately, also displayed looping punches and reckless abandonment once more - proving that while Jones is athletic and creative in distributing his strikes, he is not an elite striker. Therefore, Jones does not have the advantage in this department.
Ground Game: Jones has incredible wrestling and a good base (so far from what I've seen) but how is his submission defense? Judging from how long he has been training at Greg Jackson's camp and how long he has been in MMA, I'm afraid the answer is not great. He managed to defend Ryan Bader's submission attempts but at same time we have to consider that Bader was never in a dominant position nor does he possess a high level submission game like Rua's. Shogun's strongest point is actually his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and he is a real danger from the guard position. Here's another little fun fact about Mauricio, his speciality are sweeps and leglocks (a wrestler's worst nightmare). Now how much experience does Jon have when encountering elite grapplers? The answer is zero.
Fighter's IQ: Yes, I have even seen articles and comments stating that Jones' intelligence or Fighter's IQ level is quite high. In fact, it is viewed as an advantage over Rua in their match up. Now I am not calling Jones a 'caveman' but he is not, nor has he ever been, a thinking/strategic fighter. The proof lies in his only loss against Matt Hamill. In a bout where Jones let his emotions get the better of his logic. He utilized the illegal 12-to-6 elbows onto his opponent in full mount (not once, not twice but three times). It resulted in a DQ win for the destroyed Hamill. Another example of Jones not being strategic is, of course, the usage of his gas tank and strikes. It is evident by now that Jones has trouble conserving some of his energy (a deadly mistake to make if going against the elite in the division). Like I stated above, Jones has recently been fighting smarter (Vera-Matyushenko) but keep in mind, Jones has a long history of getting drawn into stand up wars and wearing down. Jones' bread and butter is his Wrestling and Ground-&-Pound but will he be able to stick to his gameplan?
In summary, here are the facts involving Jon Jones and his skillset. For one, he is a great wrestler with some knowledge in the submission game but inexperienced against grapplers. Second, he is athletic, flashy and creative when coming to his strikes. In addition, he has above average knock out power and his elbows (in which loves to use for Ground-and-Pound) are devastating but his striking is overrated and he has yet to go to war with an elite striker. And third, he has never gone past three rounds in the octagon and when he has gone to a decision, he is always beyond depletion and exhaustion.
So, have the fans created a fighter that can live up to expectations and to the hype? Or have they created a myth?
Comments
I love Jon Jones, he is incredibly exciting to watch as a fighter, but I wish he had been given another couple of years to mature in the sport before facing a champion like Shogun. Let's not forget also that he has been given the title shot at short notice only 6 weeks after training and peaking for Bader. I think it's too soon for him and I would put my money on Shogun if I had to bet.
Unfortunately I don't think the UFC has a choice. You can't have a shooting star like Jones wreaking havoc in the division, creating mountains of hype, and NOT give him a shot as soon as possible, or the champion and the division will lose credibility.
If Bones does lose, maybe things will become more realistic and in time he will fulfill all the promise that's so obvious. On the other hand he may win...it's even possible he may win overwhelmingly...how will anyone control the hype machine then??
Lets not froget that Shogun only had 6 weeks as well to prepare for the unorthadox and lanky Jones. Thankfully for Shogun though is he was preparing for Rashad (another wrestler) so that should help. I do think jones is at a disadvantage in the fight overall due to his lack of prep time and lack of experience, but I still am hoping he wins.
Agreed, but he's one of the best strikers in MMA history. In addition, he has a great sparring partner in Junior Dos Santos (a great simulation for size and power).
Personally, I think Jones is at more of a disadvantage than Shogun simply because of the experience level. And Jones has only 6 weeks to prepare for a world class striker and grappler.
Shogun was already preparing his takedown defense for Evans - a transition that can be made for Jones.
Wasnt Penn. vs St.Pierre 2 UFC 94
Exactly, if Jones does win how much further will the hype go? Granted, he'll probably deserve alot of praise but how much is too much?
I think Jones did earn the title shot, afterall Jackson declined and Evans was hurt... but I also think it's a little too early as well.
Yes, my apologies - I make the habit of writing these articles from my iTouch.
I agree with you dude. I got Shogun in this fight. Jon does however have a good chance, IF,
1) He doesn't believe his own hype
2) Greg Jackson makes a masterful gameplan
I concur, Jones has a good chance but he's going to have to come up with a grand scheme to take out Shogun.
Jones is going to win this. There's no stopping this guy - he's the future. I'm a huge Shogun fan too.
I disagree, he's not unstoppable - like I stated above, Jones has alot of glaring holes and he is not experienced. But the guy is the future indeed.
Well, time will tell. I don't see Shogun being able to stop him. I think he might be the most confident (in and out of the ring) I've ever seen and in a fight situation that counts for a lot. Jones is winning this in the 1st or 2nd round.
I see two ways Shogun stopping Jones actually:
1.) Shogun connects with a grazing right hook and floors Jones. Rua finishes the fight via TKO with relentless ground and pound.
2.) Jones takes down Mauricio and immediately rushes in with some ground and pound thus leaving Jones vulnerable to a counter [sweep]. Rua shortly after armbars Jones.
I agree, this fight won't go past the second round.
I called Jones being champ after I saw his first fight in the UFC. Then i saw him against Bonar and I was sure that one day soon he would be champ. I was telling ym friends and family who are MMA fans about him and they didnt even know who I was talking about. Fast forward a couple of years and they all know him now. I sure hope he can pull through against Shogun. Eitherway, I have always had a good gut on fighters.
So do I, I've predicted fighters like Machida, Edgar, Silva, Fedor, Mousasi, Velasquez, Rua, etc would win titles.
And while I do think Jones will win the title eventually, I think a prime Shogun is still too much for a young Jones to handle.
Also, to the author of this post - From the Bonnar fight I recalled his amazing wrestling. Those suplexes he threw were some of the best I have ever seen in MMA. I do agree his stand up is over hyped however.
Yes, I didn't clarify his incredible takedowns but I did mention his wrestling. I, too, was amazed by how well he established those takedowns.
Another note tot he author - Jones gased himself out by over striking like you said. his game plan will be much different in a 5 round war. I doubt you will see him gas out.
For his sake, I hope so or else he'll be in a world of hurt.
Shogun has been here before and he knows how to use the clock against his opponents.
For those interested, check out Shogun spar with Dos Santos on youtube. I think there's 4-5 sparring sessions (ranging from 2007-2010).
Shogun displays great movement and skill. These videos make me feel confident in why Rua will do fine against Jones' reach and size.
Coincidentally, having a long reach is not an advantage while rolling with a high level BJJ black belt.
A fairly decent article. you could class me as one on the hype train and the reason I feel he is worthy of the hype is the consumate ease with which he has dealt with his last few opponents.
You quite rightly point out he is far from the finished article, but it isn't Brock Lesnar we are talking about, Jones really is class.
I give Jones the advantage in this because of youth and also because Rua has had a long lay off which could see some ring rust when they meet. I do feel if anyone can beat Jon Jones in the LHW division it will be Rua, but I think in reality Jones will be too much for Rua. Rua should have the advantage standing but I reckon Jones will eat him alive once they go to the floor for another comfortable win.
It may be undue hype and no one can ever say how a fight will turn out as anything can happen, and someone of Ruas quality should never be written off, but he didnt do well against Griffin after a lay off and Jones is much better than griffin in the octagon.
I agree, Jones is not Lesnar and he is far better than the opponents he has outclassed and you make a great point in where Shogun has come off a long layoff and struggled in the past, but I sense the ground is where Rua wants the fight to go and is severely doubted to hold his own.
Jones could end up being too much for Rua on the ground - but I've yet to see Shogun get TKO/KO'ed or dominated on the ground. That's what makes me a little skeptical. BUT you better believe I'm going to fear for Rua's life when the fight goes to the ground.
No sir, you came off very respectful and knowledgable. Thank you for your comments. And I can't but agree with some of the points you made.
Jones has earned a title shot and to be ranked in the top ten without a doubt. Although at this point Vera and Vladimir are mid-level fighters never to see a title shot, they are still both experienced and decorated fighters with accomplishments and Jones slaughtered them both.
While Shogun has only submitted one opponent in his career, he is overlooked in the ground game department. And people shouldn't overlook that aspect of Rua's arsenal. Mauricio is a head hunter and prefers the knockout but if gets ahold of one Jones' limbs then his size will be turned against him.
I fear that as well. Shogun didn't do so well when he came off his last layoff. He lost to Forrest Griffin and struggled against Mark Coleman but that layoff involved more than just a knee surgery. His camp was a disaster. He basicially sparred in a public park with his brother.
In some form, I do not think I've looked too hard for weaknesses, they are not hard to find but Jones is still, byfar, one of Rua's toughest tests to date because of Jon's wrestling, power and size. The man is an incredible specimen.
If Jones is victorious then I'll be the first to swallow my words. It is not that I do not think Jones can accomplish the feat but it won't a walk in the park like some foresee. Rua is a legend in the sport and never to be taken lightly - in any area.
Lol, at least Shogun had an excuse - his gym (the Los Angeles branch) was closed down because of financial issues but Filho and Arona are nuts. I mean Ricardo was getting into knife fights during his absence from the ring.
I've seen the videos too - stacking guys ontop guys onto their backs. I was laughing my ass off. And I know they look alike but they take the 'brother' thing too far lol
Just wanted to say you were completely wrong. In your face