Jon Jones fans: has Saturday altered your expectations for JBJ at HW?

[Concrete Whale]

Weight classes exist for a reason. And the difference between HW and LWH is 60lbs, not 15. Even a dominant star in one weight class can be bullied and overpowered and have his game shut down by a similarly skilled fighter who is simply bigger, heavier and stronger.

JBJ has been talking for years about going up to HW but I have never been convinced that he actually will. And if he does I don't see him being top 5 maybe not even top 10. I just wondered if any of the people claiming he is going to run through the HW division and style on 280lb+ fighters have had second thoughts after this weekend.

 

[wilKO]

The difference in weight between LHW and HW is more but that doesn't make the jump harder. It's easier to move to HW and be successful. Saturday night didn't change anything in my mind. Jones would maul 90% - 100% of the division. Werdum, Stipe, Cain and Overeem would all be interesting though.

 

[Liquid Smoke]

I don't think Jon ever wanted to go to HW. Maybe when guys like Randy and Tim Syliva were champs but not with all this new breed shit we got going on now.

 

[The Best JG]

Not really. JBJ never relied on the KO, and he manhandled a guy who manhandled a lot of top heavyweights. I never thought jbj could run thru hw, but i thought thought and still think he can do well there

 

[Concrete Whale]

The difference in weight between LHW and HW is more but that doesn't make the jump harder. It's easier to move to HW and be successful. Saturday night didn't change anything in my mind. Jones would maul 90% - 100% of the division. Werdum, Stipe, Cain and Overeem would all be interesting though.

Fair enough but I have difficulty imagining him stopping a takedown from any of the big guys with decent wrestling, Velasquez, Barnett, Bigfoot, even people like Overeem and Rothwell. Maybe even Gonzaga. I see them driving him up against the cage and putting him on his back repeatedly and I don't see him having the power in his hands to make them tentative.

 

[JAGDPANZER209]

Jones said himself he'd only want to fight the smaller heavyweights. He said he wants no part of Bigfoot or Mark Hunt

 

[TekkenLord]

The reason anyone cuts is because they have an advantage. Obviously Jon has no desire to fight at HW.

 

[fightdonttweet]

Well his most competitive fights have been against a former top heavyweight and a man with his size and reach. I don't think that's a coincidence.

 

[fightdonttweet]

Fair enough but I have difficulty imagining him stopping a takedown from any of the big guys with decent wrestling, Velasquez, Barnett, Bigfoot, even people like Overeem and Rothwell. Maybe even Gonzaga. I see them driving him up against the cage and putting him on his back repeatedly and I don't see him having the power in his hands to make them tentative.

What would make you think that? Did you watch DC vs. Bigfoot and Barnett?

 

[SCTwins]

I've never been a fan of the idea.

I can't see him getting a guy like Overeem to the ground or hurting him enough to gain any respect on the feet.

 

[Haj01]

Look at what Anthony Johnson did to AA. Look at what DC did as heavyweight. He was practically in line for a HW titleshot. He goes down to LHW and loses to Jones. Doesn't that speak for itself?

 

[TekkenLord]

What would make you think that? Did you watch DC vs. Bigfoot and Barnett?

Jon has no power in his punches I'm sure it would be worse in HW. Not only that but size wouldn't be a factor. I don't think he could beat Stefen Struve.

 

[Deleted member 453401]

 

[kibz]

EDIT: ^^^^^ Wow that was fast, lol. one minute before I posted.

Jon did an interview with Helwani and said he's game for fighting smaller heavyweights like Cain, but not 260lb guys without first putting on a lot of muscle. He's realistic about it and knows he'd lack in the power department as things are currently. Nothing wrong with that, IMO.

 

[TekkenLord]

Look at what Anthony Johnson did to AA. Look at what DC did as heavyweight. He was practically in line for a HW titleshot. He goes down to LHW and loses to Jones. Doesn't that speak for itself?

DC would do way better against Jon if he didn't have to cut wait. Jon has never fought at HW. He don't want non of that. Lol

 

[Haj01]

DC would do way better against Jon if he didn't have to cut wait. Jon has never fought at HW. He don't want non of that. Lol

I agree he could bury his belly fat into him and drive him up against the cage.

 

[TekkenLord]

I agree he could bury his belly fat into him and drive him up against the cage.

Exactly!!!!!!!! More weight, more power, more Jon losing. To fat fucks!

 

[Count Zero]

Jon has no power in his punches I'm sure it would be worse in HW. Not only that but size wouldn't be a factor. I don't think he could beat Stefen Struve.

Let's not get ridiculous here. We don't know how the weight cut affects Jon vs how it affected DC / Rumble / Conor / etc. Remember, it's not like Rumble was literally knocking dudes' heads off below LHW.

And if Jon moved up permanently he might add more muscle, beyond just not cutting. Who knows.

 

[TekkenLord]

Let's not get ridiculous here. We don't know how the weight cut affects Jon vs how it affected DC / Rumble / Conor / etc. Remember, it's not like Rumble was literally knocking dudes' heads off below LHW.

And if Jon moved up permanently he might add more muscle, beyond just not cutting. Who knows.

Let's just just hope we're alive to see it happen. If it ever does.

 

[Concrete Whale]

What would make you think that? Did you watch DC vs. Bigfoot and Barnett?

Yes, that was HW vs HW. Also Bigfoot and Barnett are not as hmm strong and dynamic as they used to be.

Look at what Anthony Johnson did to AA. Look at what DC did as heavyweight. He was practically in line for a HW titleshot. He goes down to LHW and loses to Jones. Doesn't that speak for itself?

Johnson is chunky and muscular. Jones is gangly. Johnson has extreme power. Jones doesn't. DC at HW =/= DC at LHW. DC vs Jones would be a different fight at HW, imagine him eating those clinch uppercuts with HW power behind them, imagine DC slamming him and blasting in on his hips with HW power and no gruelling weight loss campaign and weight cut sapping his strength. Jones's gangly build, especially his skinny legs, is not going to stop high level HW wrestlers from putting him down and holding him down even if he tries to bulk up. He will just get tired halfway through the first round and paradoxically end up even weaker.

Thanks for posting the interview GOAT.