You are giving too much credit to Izzy for this “mental warfare” tactic. I don’t see the ppv numbers changing much from fighting Jon now to fighting Jon after Jan. If mental warfare means putting yourself at risk of getting knocked out, then you really need to reevaluate what that means. Izzy is avoiding Jon Jones atm. Let’s be real here. Maybe he’ll fight him next year or the following but as of now, it’s pretty damn clear.
Of course he is. It's the smart thing to do, too. At least that's how I feel about it, as someone who isn't really a fan of either fighter, but look at my post history and you won't see any Izzy nuthugging
But it's smart. It's starting to look like Jon Jones is exiting, or has exited, his prime. The longer you wait it out the likelier he is to continue losing his edge
Is it cowardly? Maybe, if you choose to look at it that way. But the fact is that Jon Jones is a big fucking guy who could fight at HW and has probably juiced. So why
shouldn't Izzy look to gain advantages where he can? GSP did the same thing when he moved up in weight, he waited until there was a challenger that he found he had a clear advantage over, then he got the fuck out
It was a clearly calculated move. So what? Who besides hardcore fans gives a shit about those little details? Jan, on paper, is an easier opponent than Jones. Izzy is risking getting KOd, but he's also got the opportunity to become a double champion, and by the time a fight with Jones can be set up there is a higher likelihood that Jones will be washed up
It's a good opportunity, good timing to move up in weight. Sure, there are never any guarantees. He could get KTFO by either Jan or Jones. It's fighting, there's always gonna be some risk, but I see it as a prime opportunity for Izzy to take his career to a whole other level. He could remain at 185 and re-match Whittaker in a fight no one would really be excited about and try to rack up a bunch of title defenses and take the Mighty Mouse approach to legacy building (getting a bunch of title defenses in a stagnating division), or he could try going for something that will actually generate hype
Look at the top 10 at 185: Paulo Costa (just got KOd), Jared Cannonier (just got outpointed), Whittaker (already got stiffened), Jack Hermansson (nobody cares about him), Yoel Romero (already had a terrible fight with Izzy), Darren Till (2-3 in last 5, coming off a loss), Derek Brunson (nobody cares about him), Gastelum (3 fight losing streak), Uriah Hall (irrelevant), Chris Weidman (irrelevant)
Fight Jan, who is viewed by most as a beatable, transitional champion. Obviously, there is no guarantee that Izzy will actually win this fight, he is risking getting KTFO. No shit. So has every other champion who has moved up in weight to challenge for another title, and it's worked out well for many of them
He's avoiding Jones. So what? We are no longer in the Zuffa Era. Champions manage their careers with more strategy, everyone wants to hold out for more pay or they take make moves when it seems to suit THEM, not the fans. That's the way it is now, Izzy is doing the same shit as many other recent champions
If you don't agree with that assessment, that's your right. That's how I see it. We'll see how it plays out. I just know that I personally haven't given a shit about 185 and 205 in a long time, but I am highly intrigued by the outcome of Izzy/Jan
