What's Next For UFC Light Heavyweight Jon Jones?

by Kelvin Hunt on Jul 15, 2009 3:46 PM EDT in News Comment 14 comments

UFC LHW Jon Jones

Jon Jones is fresh off of his third win inside the octagon at UFC 100. He's beaten a guy that's versed in submissions(Gusmao), a guy that's a good wrestler(O'Brien), and a guy that's fairly well rounded(Bonnar). In those performances we have seen Jones execute big slams, unorthodox striking, and now we've seen him end a fight via submission. The guy continues to exude new qualities each and every fight, so I pose the question. What's next for Jon Jones?

According to a recent statement, Jones was very unhappy with how often he was hit by Jake O'Brien at UFC 100. Jake O'Brien is thought to be primarily a wrestler, although it's not impossible for him to improve his striking, but Jones feels as though he can improve in that area. This quite frankly is something he'll need to do as he moves up the steep ladder of the UFC LHW division. Jones has fought those lower to middle tier fighters, and now I think it's time to take a small jump up in competition. He'll be 22 yrs old on Saturday, so there's no big rush on things from that point of view. I'd like to see Jones take on the winner of Matt Hamill/ Brandon Vera possibly, or the winner of Ryan Bader/Eric Schafer. Who do you think should be next for Jones?

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I don’t think he’s ready for Hamill (who’s going to lose to Vera; not even really a topic worthy of discussion). I’d like to see him fight Mark Coleman. Obviously Coleman is never going to become a serious contender again, but I think a fight against Jones would give Mark the chance to actually show people that he has something to offer. Likewise, a Jones victory over the Fanboy Hall of Famer would be a feather in the up-and-comer’s cap. Plus it gives Jones more of a chance to develop his striking as there’s a much larger gap in talent there than there is between the pair’s rasslin’.

Bader/Schafer would be good, and while Bader might very well beat the hell out of “Red,” I think the latter fighter would present a much bigger danger to JJ.

by Ahhhoki on Jul 15, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought about Coleman…but that’s a lose/lose fight IMO…if Jones wins…he was supposed to win…if he takes the L…here he is a 22 year old up and comer that lost to a 44-45 year old…even if he is a HOF’er…I just don’t like that fight…

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by Kelvin Hunt on Jul 15, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

QFT.

Bloody hell.

by 3PA on Jul 15, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that fight is too risky. As funny as it sounds, Coleman is one of those guys that can give you fits. And he’ll look to take advantage of any opening you give him. Even though, I had Coleman beating Bonnar based on Bonnar’s history with wrestlers, this was Bonnar’s fight to lose. And, Im not shocked, but I am shocked that he managed to lose this fight. I with Kelvin, this fight is a lose/lose for Bones

by The Bronzeville Bully on Jul 15, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also picked Coleman.

And I think the fact that it is risky is what makes it an okay fight. I realize the UFC is trying to build Jones up slowly, and when you do that, you always run the risk of having the “can” pull off an upset. You could look at his fight against O’brien as a lose-lose situation as well, considering Jones was what a -600 favorite or something? Everybody expected him to win but I don’t think it’s a “lose” situation because he did. Same goes for Coleman. Plus Coleman could use a decent shot at getting into the limelight.

by Ahhhoki on Jul 15, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea

The only way that O’Brien could beat Jones is to take him down and lay on him…and everybody knew that…plus O’Brien isn’t as old as Coleman…so at least it wouldn’t ‘seem’ that bad…lol.

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by Kelvin Hunt on Jul 15, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Krzysztof , Cantwell? I want some right around there…

Bloody hell.

by 3PA on Jul 15, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

give him cane

by valtheguy on Jul 15, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nah

Cane needs to fight Franklin IMO…I’m begging for that fight.

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by Kelvin Hunt on Jul 15, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

jone/vera looks real good to me. especially if vera look impressive against a tough matt hamill (i’m leaning toward he will). the rising lhw star vs the former rising hw star could be fireworks. i may be rushing jones a bit though.

by bdw on Jul 15, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs