Can Rumble Johnson Ever Become a Champion?

[BigMuffler]

Dan is the man.

Maybe Rumble can win after DC retires?

 

[mst-dot]

i doubt there is a fighter on the roster that has made as much improvements as him..

he's not a significant underdog vs anybody at this point

 

[NoBiasJustMMA]

Jones and Cormier are both bad matchups for him. He might actually have a better chance at HW.

I agree, but he can become champ at LHW, he almost got DC in round 1. I just think that's what he is to those guys, he has to finish them within 2 rounds or he will gas and get finished on the ground.

 

[Blayt7hh]

As hard as he hits it would only take some luck, but I wouldn't bet on it

 

[Melas Chasma]

Of course he can!
He is 1 accurate punch away from being a champion.

This. People are so stupid on this forum it seriously gives me a headache.

 

[Ironman70.3]

I don't think he will unless he somehow becomes more than a one dimensional fighter. The fact that he was finished by a short notice DC is just sad. He can't beat Jones either. What do you think?

Yes, he certainly can with a knockout.

Will he defend the belt for a long time? Absolutely not.

 

[CasterMard]

They talk about Rumble's chances here after 4:35

 

[Tormund]

The fact that he was finished by a short notice DC is just sad.

DC was already in training camp for a fight with Bader that was supposed to happen like 10 days later.

 

[JayElectra]

I agree, but he can become champ at LHW, he almost got DC in round 1. I just think that's what he is to those guys, he has to finish them within 2 rounds or he will gas and get finished on the ground.

Yeah, I'd say he has a respectable chance against either Jones or Cormier, but ultimately, their durability and grappling abilities make it an uphill climb for him. At HW, only Cain (if he can ever get healthy and back into form) and maybe Stipe pose similar wrestling threats to him. Werdum would obviously be dangerous for other reasons, and the likes of Overeem and JDS would also pose real issues, but oddly enough, to me those all seem like winnable fights for him.

 

[Furious77]

Not efficient enough with his energy.

 

[HaulParris]

He's a lot like Vitor - powerful, reliant on an early blitz finish, fading physically and mentally the longer the fight goes. Anyone has a puncher's chance, and Vitor/Rumble have a better chance than most. It is what's missing (adaptability, strategy, resolve) that is key to these power punchers rarely winning/holding onto belts.

 

[MMAProfessional]

I think he simply gasses out in the Cormier fight. I could see him beating Cormier but not Jones. Cormier is so small he risks being KOd like we saw in the first fight. Also Johnson seems to be strictly training his wrestling and he controlled Bader really badly who is a good grappler. I'd like to see him be champion but like others said I think HW is the easier route despite him being the number one contender right now.

 

[7th]

Rumble should go after the HW and MW straps. He might be able to KO Jones though. Can't count out a guy with that 1 punch KO power

 

[TheMax]

A year or two ago, I would have said no.

...but now, frankly, he's been fighting pretty spectacularly. So, maybe.

 

[Mike01010101a]

No. He is the third force in LHW division now.

 

[Gazwald]

If he gets a title shot he can finish Jones or DC in the first exchange. He's the most dangerous guy in the division in the first couple of exchanges. Not overly likely to happen though. Jones and DC are better fighters and can negate his power.

 

[submerged88]

Rumble has one punch KO power but so does Hendo, Big Country, Mark Hunt etc.

The point is, when you fight at the Championship level those fighters usually know how to game plan against hitting with one big shot.

Chuck Liddell had 1 punch KO power at the end of his career and it still didnt stop him from getting KOed is on self.

So, Rumble does have a shot but I think it's unlikely he will ever catch a champion slipping to the point he can just KO them. But it's been known to happen, ex McG and Aldo.

 

[Bend NvR Break]

Absolutely. All he has to do is kiss Bone's chin with his fist.

 

[Sparkie]

Rumble's got a punchers against Anyone!
guy has serious power and it only takes one well places shot

He is working with a very good wrestling coach now...
probably could work more on his cardio

Hope he wins the belt at some point because he is fun to watch

 

[Kick Strickland]

i think Rumble's got the best chance out of anybody to beat Jones.

but we don't know how jones is gonna look when he comes back. might be a monster now. or might suck a big bag of ass now.