Jones or Rua?

I didn't like the kid. I felt like he was just handed the title shot, but I was surprised how humble he was. I was actually impressed.

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Originally Posted by mdjudson

I didn't like the kid. I felt like he was just handed the title shot, but I was surprised how humble he was. I was actually impressed.

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I think he was handed the title shot, kind of. It was really just luck and recognition of the raw talent he carries.

On a side note does anyone notice the WWF theatrics they have been doing after a title shot? How Rashad came in the ring after the fight and said he was going to take the belt.

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Originally Posted by mdjudson

I would have liked jones to fight machida or rampage first.

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Originally Posted by mdjudson

I felt like he was just handed the title shot

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It would have made sense for him to fight Rampage, it would have been easier to break up the planned Rampage/Hamill fight than the planned Machida/Couture fight, simply on fighter popularity. I too would have liked to see Jones fight Machida or Rampage first.

However, that leaves Shogun without a challenger. With Rashad out of the short term picture, the only other candidates could have been: Machida, Couture, Rampage, and Griffin. Frankly, there are problems with giving ANYONE mentioned above a title shot.

-I think Rampage was even offered the title shot first, but turned it down due to the short lead time to the fight.
-None of Couture's opponents since 2009 have been anywhere close to the challenge that Shogun is, but then again the same is said for Jones.
-Machida is coming off two losses in a row, to Quinton and Shogun.
-Coming off two consecutive wins against Ortiz and Franklin, I don't think Griffin is out of the picture in the upper echelon of the light heavyweight division, but 2-2 for his last 4 fights doesn't look as good on paper as Jones' 6-1 octagon record with the one loss being due to DQ from 12/6 elbow strikes. If it wasn't for his injury during the Franklin fight, Griffin may have been a decent choice since those two losses were to Silva and Evans.

Frankly, there wasn't a good choice for a challenger to Shogun, but if the champ is healthy, trained, and ready for a fight, you give him one. You could make arguments that one or two other fighters would have been just as justified for a title shot, but they wouldn't have been MORE justified in my eyes.

What's done is done, Jones put on an awesome performance and is the title holder, Shogun lost by TKO, We're going to see Rampage/Hamill and Machida/Couture soon, Jones will be put to the test again by Evans once he recovers. This is a big year for the UFC Light Heavyweight division, and it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. Who knows, we may just yet see a Jones/Jackson or Jones/Machida fight if he makes it past Evans!

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Originally Posted by mdjudson

I didn't like the kid. I felt like he was just handed the title shot, but I was surprised how humble he was. I was actually impressed.

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Originally Posted by RhacHead

I think he was handed the title shot, kind of. It was really just luck and recognition of the raw talent he carries.

On a side note does anyone notice the WWF theatrics they have been doing after a title shot? How Rashad came in the ring after the fight and said he was going to take the belt.

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What are you guys talking about? Jones has whupped everyone they put in front of him. BG was actually surprised he didn't get a shot earlier. If you look back, BG knew he would be champ. The dude really is a killer.

As far as him being "humble" goes. Arrogance only bothers the weak.:P:P

Also, if you all recall...Silva fought big head and then got a title shot right away against Franklin when he joined the UFC. Dana basically does whatever he wants and BG loves it. Of course many don't like Dana. Why is that? Arrogance ALWAYS bothers the weak.:D

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Originally Posted by mdjudson

I didn't like the kid. I felt like he was just handed the title shot, but I was surprised how humble he was. I was actually impressed.

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This happens

I mean look at Brock Lesnar. If I remember correctly Brock fought Frank Mir and lost, and then fought Heath hearring i believe. won that

So he won ONE fight and then they threw him at Randy Couture for the belt.

This also happened with Anderson Silva if im correct. I remember watching him knockout Chris Leben, and then randomly the next fight from Anderson Silva that im watching is against rich franklin

edit: Damn BG beat me to the Anderson Silva argument :)


So im not suprised that Jones got an "early" title fight.

Just my 2 cents

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Originally Posted by MikeV

This happens

I mean look at Brock Lesnar. If I remember correctly Brock fought Frank Mir and lost, and then fought Heath hearring i believe. won that

So he won ONE fight and then they threw him at Randy Couture for the belt.

This also happened with Anderson Silva if im correct. I remember watching him knockout Chris Leben, and then randomly the next fight from Anderson Silva that im watching is against rich franklin

edit: Damn BG beat me to the Anderson Silva argument :)


So im not suprised that Jones got an "early" title fight.

Just my 2 cents

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Always check with what BG said first.:D

Really though, BG is kinda surprised Jones didn't get a shot earlier. It was obvious he was gonna be champ to Big Gunns. The talent this guy has is amazing. He's scary good. Plus, BG loves a great wrestler that uses throws. This is a Big Gunns specialty and it's great to watch.:gj:

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Originally Posted by Big Gunns

Always check with what BG said first.:D

Really though, BG is kinda surprised Jones didn't get a shot earlier. It was obvious he was gonna be champ to Big Gunns. The talent this guy has is amazing. He's scary good. Plus, BG loves a great wrestler that uses throws. This is a Big Gunns specialty and it's great to watch.:gj:

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I still added a good point that hadn't been said yet :D

But yeah I have seen all of Jones' fights and he is jsut a monster. The spinning backward elbows and the throwing people around like ragdolls... Its just crazy

It was clear to me he was going to the top. Just like I thought with GSP :)

The fact is that he had not faced any "top 10" guys at all in the UFC, which at this stage in the sport's evolution is generally standard to lead up to a title shot. It's just good marketing to have a fight between two guys who deserve a shot, and let the winner take on the champ.

The fact of the matter is that if Ryan Bader defeated Jon Jones when they were matched up, he would not have been given a title shot without at least one intermediate fight, and IMO that's a perfect argument for saying that Jones was handed a title shot without proving that he can compete at the top level. Everyone GUESSED that he could compete at the top level based on previous performance, but we didn't know until he took on the champ.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

The fact is that he had not faced any "top 10" guys at all in the UFC, which at this stage in the sport's evolution is generally standard to lead up to a title shot. It's just good marketing to have a fight between two guys who deserve a shot, and let the winner take on the champ.

The fact of the matter is that if Ryan Bader defeated Jon Jones when they were matched up, he would not have been given a title shot without at least one intermediate fight, and IMO that's a perfect argument for saying that Jones was handed a title shot without proving that he can compete at the top level. Everyone GUESSED that he could compete at the top level based on previous performance, but we didn't know until he took on the champ.

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BG knew it from the first time BG saw him. Ask Boanerges or look back on posts. BG knew it. Plus, you could hardly call Leben top ten material when Silva whupped him. Dana knows what he's doing. Anybody can lose a fight with a "lucky" punch. Dana didn't want that to happen with his future meal ticket. BG still thinks he waited a couple fights too long though. If Jones keeps improving, he will probably go down as an all time great. If he keeps his head on straight anyway.