Is Gane the best striker Jones has faced?

[RoyJonesJr]

Also factor in ring rust and moving up to HW for Jones


DC
Gus
Shogun
Machida
Rampage Jackson
Glover
Smith
Belfort


I think so, the guys above may be faster (Gus) or have better dirty boxing (DC), but Gane has the best footwork out of anyone and he's a HW.

I think the first minute or so, Jones will try his usual stand up style mixing it up and all. But will soon realize he's having a hard time adjusting since he's not as a fast at HW, and Gane is so bouncy for HW. He'll get hit a couple times and go to a full on grappling approach similar to Francis.

After that I don't know, its 50/50 IMO. Jones submits him or Gane catches him in at some point

 

[Steve Fox]

Intriguing fight with too many variables to actually say how it will go.

 

[Bret 'The Hitman' Hart]

Top 3 for sure

 

[humdizzle]

Gane got wobbled by Tuivasa.. a guy who really should be fighting at MW but is too fat. I can't remember jones ever getting dropped like this:

If jones high kick lands, Gane is going to sleep.
Jones has a GOAT level chin. Ate flush bombs from Santos and DC like they were nothing.

 

[jeff7b9]

If we include power, I'd say yes.
(Which we should, but you could argue a p4p type perspective might yield a different result, maybe)

Machida was a phenomenal striker with speed and a unique style, southpaw like Gane, but Lyoto was a small LHW who has since spent years as a MW...

Gane is a true heavyweight. 6'4-6'5 247 pounds and he moves REALLY well.

This is a tough matchup for Jon.
I'm curious to see what gameplan they come with to try to solve it.


Vitor was a damn good striker too, I believe that was TRT Vitor, as he would go on to head kick KO Bisping and Luke and Hendo in his next 3 fights... you could make a case for that monster.

 

[mattemate]

Jones will take him down and pound him to Bolivian.
TKO in 2.
"And NEW..."

 

[Izzysexboyfriend]

Jones gasses him out and wins by RNC

 

[ferrisjso]

Gus before things went sideways. He came the closest to beating Jones did the most damage and almost finished DC as well.

 

[thewhiterooster]

gane is easily the best striker jones has faced. best technique and most power. no question... jones will wrestle him and win tho. ngannou outwrestled gane. jones is a much much better wrestler than ngannou.

 

[jeff7b9]

Jones gasses him out and wins by RNC

If Jon gets the sub I think top position submissions are more likely.

Key lock
Kimura
Arm Triangle*
Von Flue*
* not sure Jon has the raw squeeze power needed for these

Based on Gane vs Ngannou it seems like Gane was content to stay in guard or stay on his back rather than give up his back in a scramble.

This could change if Gane changed his ground game since then, but if he is the same or similar to the Francis fight, then I see those as more likely.

 

[Travis Alexander]

If Jon gets the sub I think top position submissions are more likely.

Key lock
Kimura
Arm Triangle

Based on Gane vs Ngannou it seems like Gane was content to stay in guard or stay on his back rather than gicenuo his back in a scramble.

This could change if Gane changed his ground game since then, but if he is the same or similar to the Francis fight, then I see those as more likely.

I do agree with you that top position subs are more likely however Jones is known for his hellbows from the top so Gane turning his back is very likely.

Also I’m sure Gane has improved his ground game and TDD since Ngannou but Jones has been subbing Blackbelts on the biggest stage since his early 20’s. The bigger X factor is of Jones can close the distance and corner Gane for a takedown. If he does get him down though it’s going to be a rough night for Gane.

 

[oscerthegrouch]

Also factor in ring rust and moving up to HW for Jones


DC
Gus
Shogun
Machida
Rampage Jackson
Glover
Smith
Belfort


I think so, the guys above may be faster (Gus) or have better dirty boxing (DC), but Gane has the best footwork out of anyone and he's a HW.

I think the first minute or so, Jones will try his usual stand up style mixing it up and all. But will soon realize he's having a hard time adjusting since he's not as a fast at HW, and Gane is so bouncy for HW. He'll get hit a couple times and go to a full on grappling approach similar to Francis.

After that I don't know, its 50/50 IMO. Jones submits him or Gane catches him in at some point

i say its the closes to Machida type style in and out a lot of movement ...

 

[blewgums]

Ganes will get stopped.

He’s not even close to being good enough to fight Jones.

 

[Travis Alexander]

i say its the closes to Machida type style in and out a lot of movement ...

Gane has better side to side movement than Machida, just obviously not as good at attacking straight down the line as machida.

 

[Poirierfan]

Short answer, yup.

 

[oscerthegrouch]

Gane has better side to side movement than Machida, just obviously not as good at attacking straight down the line as machida.

i agree i like this match up going great fight one way or other

 

[SirKratos]

Answer is yes, no need for buts and ifs

 

[Portland8242]

Machida is the best striker, but Gane is right behind at 2nd. And Machida is nowhere near the size as Gane and has 8" less of reach.

 

[jnes]

Gane got wobbled by Tuivasa.. a guy who really should be fighting at MW but is too fat. I can't remember jones ever getting dropped like this:

If jones high kick lands, Gane is going to sleep.
Jones has a GOAT level chin. Ate flush bombs from Santos and DC like they were nothing.

"But is fat" doesn't change the fact that he hits like a 265lb man. That shot would have anyone on skates. What a brain dead take. Jones could barely beat no knee Santos and then lost to Reyes who has been brutally finished in his last 3.

 

[DS66]

If we're talking pure striking technique, then it's definitely Machida. He's widely considered one of the best strikers in MMA history, and rightfully so. Vitor, Shogun, and Prime Gus were phenomenal strikers too.

However... when you add in the size and power advantages that Gane has over the aforementioned guys, I think you can make an argument as the most difficult striking opponent that Jones has had to deal with. The way he moves around at his size is just incredibly impressive. It's a super tough matchup for Jones.