UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen
Why bother, it seems, with Jon "Bones" Jones holding an edge over Chael Sonnen in every conceivable area the fight could rumble through.
Striking? Only Lyoto Machida, master of accuracy and speed, has come close to outstriking him and that was in the first round.
Submissions? Jones has submitted the last two BJJ black belts he's faced.
Physicals? Jones has the longest reach in any division and is the second tallest light heavyweight.
Wrestling? That just so happens to be Chael's biggest strength. And Jones's.
So what happens when Chael tries to pressure Jones with takedowns? He'll need to threaten Jones with his own strikes to open up an opportunity for a takedown, but if he dares tread there he'll face Jones's UFC-best reach, elbows, oblique kicks and side kicks. Clinch and you enter the elbow zone. Kick and you find yourself on your back and again in the dreaded elbow zone. A Sonnen victory would be a bigger upset than Matt Serra over Georges St.Pierre, generally considered the biggest upset in UFC history.
Why bother?
The craftiness and gamesmanship of a veteran Chael Sonnen might be the reason why. He displays it in every fight, most notably against the fighter many consider the top talent in any division- Anderson Silva. Silva, the deadliest striker in the UFC, keeps most opponents out of range until he figures out their timing and his own range. Chael denied Silva his comfort zone through constant pressure, takedowns and ground control. Only in the waning seconds of the fifth round did Chael's concentration slip long enough for Silva to throw up his legs and submit him via a triangle choke. Can Chael pressure Jones, can he do it non-stop and can he do it through all five rounds?
If he cannot, the champion rolls, unbothered.
Striking? Only Lyoto Machida, master of accuracy and speed, has come close to outstriking him and that was in the first round.
Submissions? Jones has submitted the last two BJJ black belts he's faced.
Physicals? Jones has the longest reach in any division and is the second tallest light heavyweight.
Wrestling? That just so happens to be Chael's biggest strength. And Jones's.
So what happens when Chael tries to pressure Jones with takedowns? He'll need to threaten Jones with his own strikes to open up an opportunity for a takedown, but if he dares tread there he'll face Jones's UFC-best reach, elbows, oblique kicks and side kicks. Clinch and you enter the elbow zone. Kick and you find yourself on your back and again in the dreaded elbow zone. A Sonnen victory would be a bigger upset than Matt Serra over Georges St.Pierre, generally considered the biggest upset in UFC history.
Why bother?
The craftiness and gamesmanship of a veteran Chael Sonnen might be the reason why. He displays it in every fight, most notably against the fighter many consider the top talent in any division- Anderson Silva. Silva, the deadliest striker in the UFC, keeps most opponents out of range until he figures out their timing and his own range. Chael denied Silva his comfort zone through constant pressure, takedowns and ground control. Only in the waning seconds of the fifth round did Chael's concentration slip long enough for Silva to throw up his legs and submit him via a triangle choke. Can Chael pressure Jones, can he do it non-stop and can he do it through all five rounds?
If he cannot, the champion rolls, unbothered.
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