UFC 128 – My Thoughts on Shogun vs. Jones

UFC 128 features Shogun Rua and Johnny Bones Jones, two of the most athletic 205 pounders in the light heavyweight division.

Always kick a man when he is down

If you watched any of his old PRIDE fights, you’d know that Shogun Rua was just a bad man. He has a penchant for stomping heads and turning brains into runny mush, which is lovely.

Johnny Bones Jones is far hungrier though; figuratively and probably literally.  I’ve watched a couple of his fights on tape and he is one explosive man. Those sexy elbows of his have  damaged many a face. And it’s not like Jones hasn’t faced top competition either. He took out Stephan Bonnar, Jake O’ Brien, Brandon Vera and Darth Bader; good additions to your resume. I like to think of Jones as a heavier, younger version of GSP, but with the added advantage of octopus-like reach.

So let’s break this stuff down.

STRIKING

Shogun. Let’s not kid ourselves. Shogun destroys with Muay Thai. Even though Jones’ reach is a bit of a problem, Rua has great head movement and covers a ton of distance when he leaps in with his proven left hook.
EG://Shogun KOs Machida, Liddell

WRESTLING

Johnny Bones Jones. Again, let’s not kid ourselves. Jones was a great college wrestler and clearly he’s good enough to pull off some pro wrestling moves, which practically never happens in MMA. He also has a great sprawl that he used against Jake O’ Brien, another good wrestler. The only time I remember Shogun use his wrestling was against Alistair Overeem when he was losing a striking exchange. He also got controlled on the ground by a 44 year old Mark Coleman. Wrestling is Jones’ bread and butter, it isn’t Shogun’s.
EG:// Great suplexes, and adequate displays of Judo in his fight with Stephen Bonnar.

SUBMISSIONS

I couldn't find a picture of Jones... so this will have to do.

Johnny Bones Jones. It’s actually not as clear cut as it seems though. Shogun submitted Kevin Randleman, a Division I wrestler using a kneebar. He also holds a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Jones however, took out two guys using guillotines and no-arm d’arce chokes. Only problem is that those two guys were wrestlers who traditionally did quite crap on their backs. I ended up giving it to Jones because he’s never been submitted.  Shogun on the other hand got choked out by Forrest in his Octagon debut.

So who do we give it to?
I actually don’t know. On paper, Jones seems to have more weapons up his sleevies but you have to realize that Shogun stomps very very hard. I’d like Jones to win, because the subsequent match-ups would be much more interesting, but you never know.

Other fights that caught my eye, but I won’t elaborate upon
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Brendan Schaub
(AKA will Cro Cop be a gatekeeper forever?)

UPDATE: Yes

Raphael Assunção vs. Erik Koch <– do you not see what I see?
(Because I’m a child inside)

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