Is Jon Jones beating his opponents at LHW with his skill or his size?

[VIPERdude]

That Bonner fight was not nearly as one sided as you make it out to be.

You are correct though. There are a lot of very long fighters like Jon who's size is actually a disadvantage for them. It is because of his skill that he has turned it into such an advantage.

Agreed.

 

[Hotora86]

Both.

He has the skill to use his size.

This isn't an either/or question.

This.

 

[VIPERdude]

Jon has the upper body of a large heavyweight, but a bizarrely-composed lower body that lets him easily make LHW. He can use his leverage to push around fighters in the clinch and on the ground, and his reach to throw a hugely diverse arsenal on the feet. I definitely think he wouldn't be nearly as dominant at HW, because he does rely a lot on leverage and reach.

That said, he's also extremely talented in aspects beyond size. He's one of those rare fighters who has the mental toughness to never quit, an iron chin, and a superb fight IQ. He is able to adapt freely and has a fantastic spatial understanding.

awesome breakdown. Sherdog POSTERS. Especially the idiot bashers, Take notes

 

[CereserBr]

Skill.

 

[VIPERdude]

Both.

He has the skill to use his size.

This isn't an either/or question.

Sure it is. If he had not the size he would have been equal with many fighters such as DC, Rampage and even Rashad who was tentative admittedly of Jons size being an issue

 

[VIPERdude]

Well you can make the same argument then that Fedor and Cain were not skilled and just using their build to their advantage.

Since MMA started stocky powerful grapplers have used their low centre of gravity and powerful build to bully the strikers and lankier fighters by muscling inside, grabbing a hold of them and forcing them into their world

Does it really take skill just to bully inside and grab a hold if we are going to use these dumb arguments?

Sure. Brock Lesnar as inexperienced as he was, HIS SIZE beat Randy Couture... when on paper Couture should have schooled Brock.

 

[MikeMcMann]

That Bonner fight was not nearly as one sided as you make it out to be.

You are correct though. There are a lot of very long fighters like Jon who's size is actually a disadvantage for them. It is because of his skill that he has turned it into such an advantage.

People are so ignorant on this topic.

Never, NEVER has have a tall and lanky build been seen as an advantage in MMA. No one sees a Season of TUF and instantly picks the taller and lankier guys as the favorites.

The ideal build for MMA that has been the most successful has always been seen as the more stocky grapplers build. People feared for guys like Semmy when he fought Fedor.

Suddenly you get one (or two, Anderson Silva) who can break through to the highest level and that is because they have such a high level of skill that they are able to hold off the strengths of the other style while imposing their own.

No one can doubt if it was simply the build that brought success and skill was not the key factor then we should have had MMA dominated by tall lanky guys like Struve, Kendell Grove, Diabate, etc.

 

[tenniswhiz]

He's got those skinny legs which allow him to weigh 30 lbs less than most other guys with that frame.

 

[phipps66]

Jon just finished DC with a head kick. That's not cause he's long.

 

[VIPERdude]

This.

For example. Brock Lesnar with barely any experience beat Randy Couture, a champion, who is a legend in MMA, on paper should have schooled any other wrestler. Nobody can argue that it was Brocks SIZE that was the factor there.

 

[VIPERdude]

Jon just finished DC with a head kick. That's not cause he's long.

Whats that got to do with size vs skill?

 

[Chain Saw]

Sure it is. If he had not the size he would have been equal with many fighters such as DC, Rampage and even Rashad who was tentative admittedly of Jons size being an issue

Everybody is good at certain things because of their body type.

If Rampage didn't have incredibly powerful fast twitch muscle fibers, he wouldn't be able to perform the types of slams and he wouldn't have the KO power that he does. If DC wasn't stocky, short and powerful, he wouldn't be able to get in low and flip guys on their heads like he does. If Conor McGregor didn't have a freakishly long 74" reach, he wouldn't be able to manage the distance and counterstrike like he does.

Every body type has their own advantages over certain other body types. Its all about creating a style that best fits your body type, and then being able to employ that style in your fights.

If you think Jon wins just because he's tall and lanky, why hasn't Gustaffson dominated other LHWs like Jon has? Why isn't Stefan Struve dominating the HW division? Why wasn't Cody McKenzie as successful at FW as Max Holloway or Conor McGregor, when he is 6'0 with a 72" reach? Why did Chad Mendes beat the shit out of him when he's 5'6" with a 68" reach?

 

[VIPERdude]

People are so ignorant on this topic.

Never, NEVER has have a tall and lanky build been seen as an advantage in MMA. No one sees a Season of TUF and instantly picks the taller and lankier guys as the favorites.

The ideal build for MMA that has been the most successful has always been seen as the more stocky grapplers build. People feared for guys like Semmy when he fought Fedor.

Suddenly you get one (or two, Anderson Silva) who can break through to the highest level and that is because they have such a high level of skill that they are able to hold off the strengths of the other style while imposing their own.

No one can doubt if it was simply the build that brought success and skill was not the key factor then we should have had MMA dominated by tall lanky guys like Struve, Kendell Grove, Diabate, etc.

Jones is good yes but he is not the best bozer in LHW, he is not the bets wrester in LHW. He isnt the best at any one thing in the division. Many things play a factor, the argument here is simply does his size give him an advantage over everyone else or is he just that ANDERSON SILVA good that beats everyone?

 

[Chain Saw]

Jones is good yes but he is not the best bozer in LHW, he is not the bets wrester in LHW. He isnt the best at any one thing in the division. Many things play a factor, the argument here is simply does his size give him an advantage over everyone else or is he just that ANDERSON SILVA good that beats everyone?

He IS the best wrestler at LHW.

He's outwrestled everybody including DC in both fights.

 

[VIPERdude]

Please die TS.

Like, I know you will eventually, but do it sooner.

Comes to an MMA forum to click on threads to talk shit behind his little keyboard. Member since 2006 and still uses the word "like"..."Like really....like die already....i know ya will....butttt like .....sooner..." Return to school get your diploma and do something with your life. K Rampage? lol

 

[slipleft]

both ... is this question even real? lol

It is absolutely both. But given how many responses on the first page think Jones' success is due only to skill 'because other lengthy fighters aren't as successful', the question is unfortunately very relevant.

 

[VIPERdude]

He IS the best wrestler at LHW.

He's outwrestled everybody including DC in both fights.

And Brock Lesnar out wrestled Cain and Randy....Better wrestler? Or monster?

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

Comes to an MMA forum to click on threads to talk shit behind his little keyboard. Member since 2006 and still uses the word "like"..."Like really....like die already....i know ya will....butttt like .....sooner..." Return to school get your diploma and do something with your life. K Rampage? lol

I've got a degree and a family. You have redundant bullshit topics that discredit a man's ability for no reason. Go watch the Dark Knight you fucking hack

 

[VIPERdude]

It is absolutely both. But given how many responses on the first page think Jones' success is due only to skill 'because other lengthy fighters aren't as successful', the question is unfortunately very relevant.

agreed. Im glad I can bring out all the hidden trolls on a monday with no job

 

[MEAN357]

skill. DC was a heavyweight and used to fighting guys way bigger than Jones and NO ONE has done that to DC before. cant simply call it size. his reach definitely plays a factor especially considering he learned to be so good on the inside where his reach would be a disadvantage against smaller opponents. But if you look at the laundry list of guys he's beaten badly, he legitimately outskills them all too. I dont think he's fought a single guy who I could say was "more skilled" equal? sure DC and Gus are definitely in his class, but better? I dont think so

Saying that he was exposed when he fought gus is stupid Gus gives literally everyone but Rumble a tough fight. You would have to say DC got exposed too cuz they went to war as well. as previously stated DC is used to fighting 260lb HW's so obviously thats not correct.