Can Blaydes or Pavlovich Beat Jones?

[Gabe]

I’m not very confident in Stipe beating him but the obvious two top contenders in the division are Curtis Blaydes and Sergei Pavlovich, who will fight next month. I don’t give Pavlovich much of a chance but Blaydes could cause some problems. Thoughts?

 

[USA!USA!]

Let me preface this by saying anybody can beat anybody at HW. All it takes is 1 random clean shot.

Pavlovich probably not. He could KO him though but he is not as complete of a fighter.

Blaydes has a better opportunity, but I still don't think so. I think the wrestling of each guy negates any kind of grappling, and it would come down to striking. and Jones has more tools in his tool box there.

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

No.
Also, current Stipe or Prime Stipe.
Both lose to Jones imo.

 

[Ares Black]

Blaydes definitely could. If Pavlovich can keep it standing for any length of time he could too.

 

[SeattleFightFan]

"Can" is a pretty silly word to use here. Of course they both can.

Both are legit underdogs. I say Pavlovich +230 and Blaydes +180.

And I hope we find out.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

 

[Final Say]

Stipe has a way better chance than both of them.

 

[RockyLockridge]

I think Stipe on his absolute best night still has nothing for jones, let alone at 50 years old and not fighting for the last decade. blaydes would be easy for jones. Pavlovich is more of a wild card with his power and such but i assume jones would just evade him for long enough. I think Pavlovich has the best punchers chance.

 

[HaulParris]

I think either of them could.

 

[griffy5]

This is why I hated that the Gane fight went so quick. We really have no clue how these different HW challenges will affect him. I think in both of those fights he’s definitely still the clear favorite. At this point we haven’t seen a heavyweight not be scared and actually bring the fight to him. Lots of uncertainty.

 

[michhmoggan]

I see aspinall favourite against bones. The others are not favourite against bones imho.

 

[loisestrad]

There's no one in HW or any other division Jones wouldn't open as a favorite against.

 

[DOMMA]

I doubt it, unless they got lucky or Jones loses focus like he did at the end of his run at 205.

If Jones is focused, there is a significant skill gap, the better fighter, Jones, will win 90% of the time.

 

[Luthien]

 

[NoSmilez]

I am not sold on Pavlovich. He is fast but he is still predominantly a boxer with a Greco background. His wrestling isn't that great. He isn't going to hit a suplex on Jones. I don't believe he has much of a ground game either. Most heavyweights don't or they have a big man game that isn't good when they are on their back.

Blaydes is a choke artist. I think he is a more skilled fighter than Pavlovich but he will probably brain fart somewhere.

 

[Fergelmince]

Pavlovich got taken down easily and wrecked by senior citizen, post-usada overeeem. He should not be in the conversation

 

[Dorkman]

Possible. But I get the feeling we won’t ever know. I assume Jon goes strictly for the stipe fight and retires claiming to be the goat at Hw too because he beat up a 41 year old and a guy with no ground game.

 

[C0NCH3TO]

Blaydes could… but you think an undefeated, multimillionaire goat like Jones who is clearly past his prime will put it on the line for a guy like Blaydes? lol no. Blaydes is a high risk/low reward fight and Jones is very smart with anything that has to do with this sport. He will fight Stipe and throw them gloves in the middle of the cage.

 

[downthepines]

Jones wouldn't fight Blaydes imo, And that tells you alot about that matchup. He wants Stipe, Because Jones himself considers Stipe the goat HW. I think Blaydes mauls Stipe in his current form also. Serg is huge and explosive, super dangerous fight for anyone at HW. Jones will be retired before he gets a shot at him.

 

[Mammothman]

Neither Pavlovich or Blaydes do anything for Jones legacy, Stipe is the UFC HW goat and would be a great name for Jones resume.