Prime Nogueira vs Jon Jones

[Glumberjack]

I dont think the striking is as clear as you make it out. Also Nogs boxing was more than underrated it is one of the best in the divisions history. And weve seen Bones struggle with the boxing of guys who can fight tall like Gus and DC. Boxing range is also by far Bones weakest area in striking. Hes great in the clinch and very good from outside but he almost always loses in midrange as seen in the Daniel and Gus fights. He has a terrible jab, weak fundamentals and isnt technical nor has any consistent combination punching all of which Nog had in spades. He could def box Bones up and Nog was a better boxer from outside the clinch than DC and he had a much better clinch game and clinch defense than Gus who struggles there alot defensively.

Fair points, but it's difficult to get into and remain in boxing range with Jones due to his huge reach and -- ahem -- use of his hands to maintain distance. Gus did give him a lot of trouble but he also has unique and high quality footwork, which is most certainly not the case with Nogueira, and he also ultimately lost the fight. How does Nogueira get and stay within boxing range rather than being picked apart from the outside and/or muscled around and beaten up in the clinch? His clinch game was better than Gus's, like you say, but Gus's is poor, also like you say, and Jones's is top notch. I'm not saying a prime Big Nog couldn't or wouldn't beat Jones, but I don't see him doing it simply because of his boxing. I stand by my belief that if Nog couldn't get the fight to the ground somehow that Jones more often than not picks him apart at range and/or beats him up and ragdolls him in the clinch. Those saying Nogueira is bigger and stronger are taking the "Big" in "Big Nog" too literally.

 

[krelianx]

A prime 6' 3, 235lb Nog who was quick and light on his feet had much better hands than Jones. Id see him landing a lot on Jones and out boxing him pretty well. If its in Pride FC witha 10 minute first round and no elbows to the head Id give Big Nog a decent chance.

Jones is great but hes been outboxed by Gus and even got armlocked by Vitor in his guard. Hes not some unbeatable force. Just a very good young fighter who does an amazing job of in fight adjustment.

But Big Nog outboxed, a prime, young 235lb Sergei Kharitonov who would definitely out punch Jon Jones any day.

Gustaffson is a lot stronger and quicker with his hands than Jones. He has more reach as well. Touching Jones is not an easy feat. Also, Jones has been training his ground game pretty intensely, and he would not go into Nog's guard; with Vitor it was not an impending danger. Jones' reach, speed, strength, and wrestling would dictate the pace. Jones has outstruck better, stronger, slicker strikers, and would not be taken down by Nog.

 

[Mixfight]

Gustaffson is a lot stronger and quicker with his hands than Jones. He has more reach as well. Touching Jones is not an easy feat. Also, Jones has been training his ground game pretty intensely, and he would not go into Nog's guard; with Vitor it was not an impending danger. Jones' reach, speed, strength, and wrestling would dictate the pace. Jones has outstruck better, stronger, slicker strikers, and would not be taken down by Nog.

I think Jones would be the favorite but not by a long shot. Prime Nog was nothing to fuck with. Im not talking about the Zombie Nog we saw in the UFC. Im talking about the Pride FC Nog. At 6'3 235lbs and much lighter and adept on his feet. Big Nog wouldnt be a lot smaller than Jones and wouldnt make it easy for Jones to bully him.

If Jones tried to test his box against a prime Big Nog like he did against Gus I think he would get outboxed. I think Nog had much better hands than Jones does. Big Nog backed up a prime Sergei with punches and there is no doubt in my mind that prime Sergei has way better hands and boxing than Jones does.

If Jones is smart and goes Muay Thai mixed with wrestling against Big Nog's boxing and BJJ then it would be going to the ground where Nog has great BJJ, grip strength, cardio and aggressive attacks with subs which could make it a very exhausting fight for both guys.

Jones is a spectacular fighter and if Nog gets to fight him under Pride FC rules with no elbows to the head and a 10 min first round I think he would have a great chance. In a cage under unified rules he would run into more problems.

But Jones isnt some god. Whether he exepcted it or not, Vitor armlocked him cleanly and Big Nog in his prime was a much better submission grappler than Vitor could dream of. We are talking about a DeLaRiva black belt with some of the best subs in HW history, with incredible chin and unmatched heart and high intensity endurance for days.

Jones got armlocked by Vitor, outboxed by Nog, didnt really do much to Rashad or OSP and a prime Big Nog was a much better fighter than all of those guys IMO.

 

[wilKO]

Nogueira. If it goes to the ground Jones is I'm trouble and Nog is 6'3 and great boxing in his prime. Jones isn't superman when fighting tall guys and Nog is one of the best ever

 

[Uncommon Valor]

Ttt.