Chuck Liddell in his prime VS. Jon Jones.

[HydralisK]

You're asking others to watch chuck fights and then use overeem as a comparison point.

Jones hits like a wimp and destroyed shogun, dropped machida, has a one shot on his record, and has hurt most of his opponents standing and wrecked many on the ground. Chuck would be at a disadvantage everywhere and his hope is haymaker.

All the legends Jones beat were over the hill. Jones would have beat the shit out of oldl Chuck too. Not Prime Chuck.

And for that matter I'd say prime Rampage would KO Jones as well. Anybody who knows Rampage knows that wasn't the best Rampage, not the guy who fought in Pride.
Same with Shogun, Vitor.

Jones has a list of old legends to his resume mostly. When he finally faced a young stud (Gus) he got his face rearranged.

And I don't see anything wrong with the LHW overeem comparison. Similiar stature, striker, more power than Jones.

 

[mkess101]

No because Prime Chuck has some of the biggest power in the history of MMA.

Jones could hit Chuck 20 times and not t/KO him when he had an iron Jaw. Jon hits like a wimp for a man of his stature compared to most other LHWs, especially prime Chuck.

Chuck only would have to tag him once, could probably take a beating from Jones.

Think Overeem/Chuck. It would probably go something like that. Jones would start of winning the striking battle but Chuck would eventually land a power shot and finish him.

I can't believe people are denying its a bad matchup for Jones. People should go watch some old prime Liddell videos. Even before he became UFC champ.

Here you go. For our new fans out there.

Yeah I'm not a new fan. And Jones would dismantle Chuck. Chuck's biggest asset was his power, yes, but mainly in counterpunching. Jones reach would allow him to not have to take chances the other guys that Chuck fought had to take.

Not only that, the sheer level of athleticism that Jones brings is something Chuck never had to deal with. Chuck had great tdd, but got bloodied in the clinch in the first Randy fight. Chuck was smart and realized he needed to stay on the outside and make Randy take chances to close distance. Great strategy, but what strategy would he use vs Jones? Stay on the outside and get picked apart from a range where he couldn't hit Jones? Close distance, get clinched and manhandled by a bigger, more athletic guy who ragdolls guys from there?

As much as I loved Chuck back in the day, the hypothetical fight is a mismatch.

 

[Jayofteror]

Jones beats any version of Chuck.

 

[HydralisK]

Yeah I'm not a new fan. And Jones would dismantle Chuck. Chuck's biggest asset was his power, yes, but mainly in counterpunching. Jones reach would allow him to not have to take chances the other guys that Chuck fought had to take.

Not only that, the sheer level of athleticism that Jones brings is something Chuck never had to deal with. Chuck had great tdd, but got bloodied in the clinch in the first Randy fight. Chuck was smart and realized he needed to stay on the outside and make Randy take chances to close distance. Great strategy, but what strategy would he use vs Jones? Stay on the outside and get picked apart from a range where he couldn't hit Jones? Close distance, get clinched and manhandled by a bigger, more athletic guy who ragdolls guys from there?

As much as I loved Chuck back in the day, the hypothetical fight is a mismatch.

You're underselling Chuck's ability and strengths in his prime and over-estimating Jones' strengths. Sorry.

Chuck has walked through many a punch to land his own nasty bomb.

Maybe your memory is hazey.

Anyway I'm not going to get into a long winded debate on this subject I've said my piece. I'd pick Chuck too bad there isn't some fancy simulator software somewhere.

 

[kflo]

All the legends Jones beat were over the hill. Jones would have beat the shit out of oldl Chuck too. Not Prime Chuck.

And for that matter I'd say prime Rampage would KO Jones as well. Anybody who knows Rampage knows that wasn't the best Rampage, not the guy who fought in Pride.
Same with Shogun, Vitor.

Jones has a list of old legends to his resume mostly. When he finally faced a young stud (Gus) he got his face rearranged.

And I don't see anything wrong with the LHW overeem comparison. Similiar stature, striker, more power than Jones.

Prime chuck beat who? How do they compare to jones list? How does lhw overeems record stack up?

 

[mkess101]

You're underselling Chuck's ability and strengths in his prime and over-estimating Jones' strengths. Sorry.

Chuck has walked through many a punch to land his own nasty bomb.

Maybe your memory is hazey.

Anyway I'm not going to get into a long winded debate on this subject I've said my piece. I'd pick Chuck too bad there isn't some fancy simulator software somewhere.

We'll agree to disagree I guess. Jones no question doesn't have the one punch power that plenty of LHW's have. Doesn't mean guys WANT to get hit by him. Plus my point was more that Chuck would really have to make a choice. Either stay outside and lose a decision, or close distance and get clinched and manhandled.

 

[faustian]

Jones completely dominates any version of Chuck, wouldn't be close.nice

Not sure how this makes much sense. Prime Chuck was basically a better version of Gus. Chuck would own Jones standing and would either stuff all of Jones' TDAs or get up immediately after getting taken down.

Chuck's weakness was a quick, crisp boxer with heavy hands like Rampage. Jones has weak boxing and doesn't hit hard.

 

[whougonnacall]

Some really rosey sentimental assesment of chuck going on here , what next ...who would win cain vs tank abbot ?
It wouldnt be a competitive matchup folks, in a popularity contest chuck wins yeah but in a mma fight the very best version of chuck gets humilated by the worst version of bones.

 

[kflo]

Not sure how this makes much sense. Prime Chuck was basically a better version of Gus. Chuck would own Jones standing and would either stuff all of Jones' TDAs or get up immediately after getting taken down.

Chuck's weakness was a quick, crisp boxer with heavy hands like Rampage. Jones has weak boxing and doesn't hit hard.

Machidas weakness wasn't a guy like jones till he fought jones. Shoguns weakness wasn't a guy like jones until he fought jones. Rampages weakness wasn't a guy like jones till he was getting choked out by jones. Etc.

 

[Bones245n4847]

The Jon Jones that beat Andre Gusmao would beat any version of Chuck Liddell that has ever blinked or taken in O2 on this planet.

 

[Kurisutofu]

Usual hyperbole with these threads. Stylistically I don't especially fancy Chuck's chances.

Not saying he wouldn't win but Chuck was a counter puncher at heart and Jones' reach and attrition game I think could leave Chuck losing a decision or overreaching.

In Chuck's defence I think he would manage to keep it mostly on the feet, so there's a chance he lands that counter on the inside. I'd still favour Jones overall.

 

[whougonnacall]

Not sure how this makes much sense. Prime Chuck was basically a better version of Gus. Chuck would own Jones standing and would either stuff all of Jones' TDAs or get up immediately after getting taken down.

Chuck's weakness was a quick, crisp boxer with heavy hands like Rampage. Jones has weak boxing and doesn't hit hard.

by 'better version of gus' you mean a shorter, slower, weaker, less athletic version who fights in a very different way and was generaly much less technical with his striking than gus is
the harsh truth is not only would bones kill prime chuck so would gus .

 

[faustian]

Machidas weakness wasn't a guy like jones till he fought jones. Shoguns weakness wasn't a guy like jones until he fought jones. Rampages weakness wasn't a guy like jones till he was getting choked out by jones. Etc.

Fair point, Jones presents an entirely different and new beast for every single LHW he fights. I just think Chuck is a bad matchup for Jones. A lot of people say (and I agree) that JDS would be a tougher fight for Jones than Cain because JDS is a striker with big power, a strong chin that can allow him to eat a few to close distance, and solid TDD. Well prime Chuck was kinda like the LHW version of JDS. I don't know if Chuck would beat Jones, but I do think prime Chuck would be the toughest fight of Jones' career to date and I definitely don't think Jones would completely dominate him.

by 'better version of gus' you mean a shorter, slower, weaker, less athletic version who fights in a very different way and was generaly much less technical with his striking than gus is
the harsh truth is not only would bones kill prime chuck so would gus .

Chuck is shorter than Gus and less technical. That's about it. Hard to imagine Chuck being slower than Gus when Chuck consistently beat a prime Vitor to the punch in their fight. Hard to imagine Chuck being weaker than Gus when Chuck is one of the heaviest hitters of all-time with incredible TDD and nearly impossible to hold down.

Let's let Gus rack up even just a couple of top 10 wins before we start claiming he'd kill one of the greatest LHWs of all-time

 

[faustian]

Usual hyperbole with these threads. Stylistically I don't especially fancy Chuck's chances.

Not saying he wouldn't win but Chuck was a counter puncher at heart and Jones' reach and attrition game I think could leave Chuck losing a decision or overreaching.

In Chuck's defence I think he would manage to keep it mostly on the feet, so there's a chance he lands that counter on the inside. I'd still favour Jones overall.

Speaking of counters on the inside...

 

[whougonnacall]

Chuck is shorter than Gus and less technical. That's about it. Hard to imagine Chuck being slower than Gus when Chuck consistently beat a prime Vitor to the punch in their fight. Hard to imagine Chuck being weaker than Gus when Chuck is one of the heaviest hitters of all-time with incredible TDD and nearly impossible to hold down.

Let's let Gus rack up even just a couple of top 10 wins before we start claiming he'd kill one of the greatest LHWs of all-time

Hes also got less reach and yes he was slower overall
He was also beaten to the punch by randy couture of all people , and as for nearly impossible to hold down he was ragdolled by randy and rampage so lets not make him out to be something he wasnt.
For strength id say the larger more athletic man is probably gonna be stronger in the clinch , id picture bones tossing prime chuck around failry easily.

He doesnt need to rack up that many wins in the modern era to prove hed beat a guy from an earlier less technical , less athletic era (where the best where in pride anyway) , we can clearly see from watching both men in action gus would beat him everywhere.

 

[Hollywood Nicky]

i think jones just has too much game, he can do pretty much anything in there.

 

[HHJ]

Likely Chuck. He was an animal in his prime, can't see Jones taking one of his bombs at all.

he wouldnt have to.

 

[GabbaGabba]

Jones by decision, or maybe TKO on ground. Chuck was the man, but Jones has too many tools and would avoid the big right hand.

 

[HHJ]

prime chuck couldnt even beat rampage. Jones would beat him every which way

 

[Shogun Rising]

Chuck was taken down by lesser wrestlers than Jon.

Jon mauls on ol' Chuck.