Predictions please? Jon Jones' future.

[The Natural Born Runner]

After Jon's sub-par performance last night I've seen a lot of hate coming his way over the last few hours.

I've listed some of the popular theories and doubts about Bones, post-OSP fight at UFC 197:

1. Doubts about his size and acclimatization to Heavyweight has once again been brought to the forefront.

2. Concerns over his "new size" and appearance, questions like "has he put on too much size/muscle".

3. Is he the same guy as before? Will this be a turning point, where he's not the same GOAT character.

4. Is the killing instinct fading or gone?

5. Would have lost to the other top 3 guys if he'd faced them and performing like he did last night.

My prediction:

He'll be back and better than ever for the DC fight, but it WILL be close. Ideas of Heavyweight also need to be delayed, he needs to get much better against longer/taller fighters first, if he's to have significant success.

What are your thoughts ladies and gentlemen?

Is this a sign of things to come for Jones? Will we see 20% Jones on a regular basis?

 

[CTYankee]

50-45 against the #6 guy is now sub par. You must really think Jones is the GOAT.

 

[The Natural Born Runner]

50-45 against the #6 guy is now sub par. You must really think Jones is the GOAT.

I do actually lol.

Let me just put it like this:

If that performance was from Anderson or Fedor in their respective divisions, it would be an "okay" performance.

Jon is held to that same standard.

You mention #6 guy, that is really #7 guy because the champion isn't even numbered in them stupid UFC rankings. Also that division is so thin, that Shogun Rua in 2016 is still a top 10 competitor.

Ranking means nothing. OSP was not a challenge, and if Glover can finish him - Jones should be able to too.

 

[2 COOL]

ask me after his next fight. this fight the long time off, the legal problems, etc.. I myself cant judge on this fight, next one will tell us I believe

 

[dragonsfly]

I would say lets wait and see after the DC fight and besides that he really beat him clean with no issues 50-45 but still have to agree with you because it was sub-performance and felt like he should have finished him in the 4th and also do think that if that round was just 10-seconds longer then Jones would have stopped OSP

 

[cade187]

 

[Conor McTouchbutt]

 

[The Schmoop]

I didn't watch (moving) but I read the play by play and the related threads. I'm not sure what was really expected. He's been through a lot in his absence. The majority of it was self inflicted and hes been out of action for a notable length of time. His next fight will be better, I'm sure of it. Pulling for DC in the rematch

 

[Sgt Smith]

OSP is not a chump by any means. I'm sure the gameplan was to avoid his power, which can make the fight somewhat boring. Couple that with a layoff and his mental state over that time, and it may have resulted in a subpar performance. I still thought he controlled pretty much every minute of that fight. I'm sure he'll be fine going forward. The amount of muscle mass he's put on is grossly exaggerated and I don't think it's hurt him in the least. We always read into top fighters with a microscope if they didn't perform to our expectations.

 

[tonil]