Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Jon Jones is the Greatest Ever!?



On Saturday night March 19, 2011 Jon "Bones" Jones  defeated Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in extremely impressive fashion. At 23 years of age he became the youngest UFC champion (I guess Vitor Belfort's victory at 19 no longer counts?). So now all the talk is about this being the beginning of the Jon Jones era, is he the greatest ever, can anyone beat him?
Jon Jones is a very, very, very talented MMA fighter with superb athletic ability. He seems to be a fast study picks up the game with ease.  He is tall with an inhumane reach, has excellent footwork and excellent wrestling skills. He does many things great. But he is not the first with all these qualities. I understand hype is part of the sport, it's part of what drives the money. Fans need someone to compel them watch the shows. We have yet to see Jon Jones tested, which is a testament to his skill, but how will he react to adversity? To his first time being tagged and stunned? To his first time in submission peril?
I believe it was Forrest Griffin who once said after praising Anderson Silva, that someday someone would beat him and everyone would say, "Oh, that's how it's done! It's so simple." and the puzzle solved. But until then, everyone would be in awe. And he was right, when Chael Sonnen almost beat Silva it seemed so simple. Take him down and ground him. When Machida was on his unbeaten streak, most believed no one could solve that puzzle. then Rua came along and gave us the blueprint.There is someone out there who will give Jones fits, and he may not even be that good, just a stylistic nightmare. Will it be Rashad Evans? I don't think so. But soon we will see both in the Octagon to answer that question.
The reason Fedor Emelianenko was seen for so long as the greatest of all time had some to do with his record and skill and the opponents he faced. But much more it was for the battles he went through in the ring and cage. The adversity he overcame to be victorious. I want to see Jones suplexed onto his head then submit his opponent in 30 seconds before I'll bestow greatest of all time on him.

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