Could Jon Jones have wrestled in the Olympics?

[SPooderMan]

He was able to outwrestle DC, and Olympic medalist. So considering he’s better than him at wrestling he might have won a gold medal

 

[cheesus]

No

 

[Yep]

Yes. That’s why he was heavily scouted and given scholarships left and right.

 

[tbulls123]

he would've been caught with PED before he even stepped on the mat. hehe.

 

[Reydereyes]

He was able to outwrestle DC, and Olympic medalist. So considering he’s better than him at wrestling he might have won a gold medal

He is better than DC at MMA wrestling.
I'm pretty sure DC would wipe the floor with Jones in a pure wrestling match

 

[Tweak896]

People joke but I think he was pretty good, he always said he had to do JUCO because of life issues, but I don't think he'd be some undefeated phenom.

 

[NoStoneUnturned]

Juco champ, long long way from the Olympics.

 

[Clark Rogers]

I'm leaning towards no.

He outwrestled DC in a MMA match, and he was a JuCo champion, but never division 1, although I think he had offers.

This might give some perspective. Sounds like he was competitive, but perhaps not top rank elite...

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/9/...ling-jake-varner-same-tournament-olympic-gold

 

[Apect15]

Had he had chance to go there I think he would do solid

 

[SalvadorAllende]

 

[Hank Grill]

Do the olympics let you "surge"?

 

[Viper2]

No, Jones is too ectomorphic to be an Olympic-level wrestler in his weight category.

 

[laleggenda27]

1. MMA wrestling and amateur wrestling are vastly different.
2. Jones didn't "outwrestle" DC. Grappling played no role in their fights. Each of them got a takedown or two, but neither had any control time. Their fights were both kickboxing matches.
3. DC didn't medal in the Olympics.

 

[SeattleFightFan]

https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/5058113-looking-back-on-jon-jones-wrestling-career

His biggest accomplishment seems to be splitting bouts with Max Askren, Ben's brother. This guy. Seems he beat him in College. And that's pretty damn good.

But Olympics Team USA good? That's a whole different beast.

It looks like the 77kg division was held by Donny Pritzlaff about then. I'll wait for a real wrestling expert come in and discuss that fantasy matchup (Jones v Pritzlaff).

 

[kingghidrah]

Do the olympics let you "surge"?

you mean "pulse"

Surge was a soda that would also be a banned substance if it existed today

 

[Hank Grill]

you mean "pulse"

Surge was a soda that would also be a banned substance if it existed today

Totally right, 2005 and the 2 for 1 dollar Surges were on my mind.

 

[humdizzle]

probably benefitted him not going. someone would have beat him and then his goat contention would be in question. kind of like izzy always had the alex thing even before alex joined ufc

 

[IDGETKTFO]

Umm.....No......

EDIT: Damn someone beat me to it. @SalvadorAllende

 

[mattemate]

No, Jones is too ectomorphic to be an Olympic-level wrestler in his weight category.

Cael Sanderson was pretty lanky too.
I can't even imagine how good his ankle picks and knee taps from the clinch would be. He can reach you from across the room. One of my buddies trained with him at Jackson/Wink and swore he could jab him from five feet away (he didn't say that, he just stood what seemed about that far and said from here). I'm the same height as Jones but he has EIGHT INCHES of reach on me. The distance my buddy was standing from me seemed insanely far.

 

[Bork Neslar]

Maybe. Maye not.