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Did Jones pick the best time to move up?

Reaperman

Reaperman

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How would he have faired if he moved up when JDS, Werdum, Mir, Cain, Overeem, and Cro Cop were all in the mix?


Edit - this is not a diss against Gane. He is a beast and I’m excited to see what he brings. I also think there are some other intriguing matchups for Jones currently at heavyweight as well.
 
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No, some people don't see it, but despite his loss to Francis, Ciryl is a very special fighter.

This is a very difficult fight for Jon with relatively low upside because of how new Ciryl is.

It may actually be the worst time to move up or at least close to it with possibly the only exception being when Francis was champ.

(I actually feel like Ciryl might have a higher ceiling than Francis though.)
 
Reign009 said:
No, some people don't see it, but despite his loss to Francis, Ciryl is a very special fighter.

This is a very difficult fight for Jon with relatively low upside because of how new Ciryl is.

It may actually be the worst time to move up or at least close to it with possibly the only exception being when Francis was champ.

(I actually feel like Ciryl might have a higher ceiling than Francis though.)
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This exactly.

Some people clearly haven't watched Gane fights up to this point.

It's crazy to me that Gane is the underdog with Jones being away for 3 years and not having looked really good in years. And moving up a weight class.
 
Reign009 said:
No, some people don't see it, but despite his loss to Francis, Ciryl is a very special fighter.

This is a very difficult fight for Jon with relatively low upside because of how new Ciryl is.

It may actually be the worst time to move up or at least close to it with possibly the only exception being when Francis was champ.

(I actually feel like Ciryl might have a higher ceiling than Francis though.)
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Wreckless said:
This exactly.

Some people clearly haven't watched Gane fights up to this point.

It's crazy to me that Gane is the underdog with Jones being away for 3 years and not having looked really good in years. And moving up a weight class.
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So you think Gane is a harder fight than prime Cain, Miocic, JDS?
 
Reaperman said:
How would he have faired if he moved up when JDS, Werdum, Mir, Cain, Overeem, and Cro Cop were all in the mix?
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It's tough to say because someone like CroCop was aready on the decline(no disrespect) by the time Jones was just getting started in the UFC.

Would Jones be able to muscle JDS up against the fence the way Cain did? It's arguable.

Would he want to play on the ground with Werdum? Even if Jones kept it standing, Werdum's Cordeiro-trained striking would be a challenge.

These are all interesting match-ups in their own right.
 
MarleyLynx said:
Gane is good why is everyone acting like he's not?
Seriously... Just watch him fight.

That being said I got Jones
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Gane is good to last couple minutes with Jones but not good enough to beat him?
 
Wreckless said:
This exactly.

Some people clearly haven't watched Gane fights up to this point.

It's crazy to me that Gane is the underdog with Jones being away for 3 years and not having looked really good in years. And moving up a weight class.
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I kinda get it. It's Jon Jones and the Francis/Ciryl fight is fresh in people's minds. They have a hard time projecting the growth of a fighter.

Gane is the favorite, IMO. Jon can still win this but it won't be as much with skill, it must be with experience and grit.



We sharing laughs and knowledge tonight.
 
Well, he had to do something. He lost to a couple of opponents who weren't in the top 3 of the division, and he couldn't count on the judges saving him every time.
I don't think it's a cinch that he'll do better at HW, but the unexplored option is unexplored.
 
oldschoolmmafan said:
So you think Gane is a harder fight than prime Cain, Miocic, JDS?
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Wreckless said:
Just as big of a challenge if not bigger. MMA evolves. Get over yourself.

Also username checks out.
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How, specifically, is Gane a bigger challenge than prime Cain, Miocic, or JDS? (I agree about JDS, probably Miocic too, but let's show some rigor in our shit-talking, please).
 
this is the best time, it's now or never. he can't go back in the past. and who knows what monsters may rise in the future. now is the best time. gane, old stipe, just that russian is waiting in the corner for his turn... if jones wins tomorrow night, i can see either an immediate rematch if the fight is good/close, or they make jones fight stipe to keep the aura. when jones beats stipe, jones retires.
 
Its tough to say. Yes, I believe Cain and prime Miocic were tougher matchups.

However, Jones is 35 and coming off a 3 year layoff. The x-factor in this fight is Gane's power. He's generally looked at as a point fighter, long range fighter etc. But if given the chance he can put anyone's lights out(just look at JDS fight). I think Jones is showing a lot of guts by taking this fight. He's daring to be great.
 
He didn’t pick the time, Ngannou did. It’s very evident Jon was waiting for Francis to lose the belt or leave. Jon is coming off a long layoff with ring rust, he was waiting for a safer fight for the HW belt, not a guy that would take his head off from any mistake made. Because he will make mistakes after 3 years off.
 
Reaperman said:
How would he have faired if he moved up when JDS, Werdum, Mir, Cain, Overeem, and Cro Cop were all in the mix?


Edit - this is not a diss against Gane. He is a beast and I’m excited to see what he brings. I also think there are some other intriguing matchups for Jones currently at heavyweight as well.
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This is a decent time but I think Cyril beats Jon. I think Jon does better against Stipe. I love Stipe but I think his time has passed.
 
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