Coulda, woulda, shoulda…
Last saturday night former UFC champion Jon Jones defeated #6 ranked OSP (Ovince St. Preux) via unanimous decision. Although he technically got the win, lots of onlookers had to admit that the 6’4′ wrestler, Muy Thai fighter, and all around killer didn’t quite look himself. Not pulling much out of his arsenal, Jon Jones played it safe and got a decisive victory against a very live opponent. However, this really was the fight that should never have been. Daniel Cormier was set to fight Jon Jones when a freak shin injury took him off of the card. DC ended up doing commentary on the card instead, and although he was mainly neutral, you can tell he was kicking himself for not being in there, especially after the less than stellar performance. Even Dana White said he believed DC would’ve kept the strap, if Jon Jones has performed the same way. While the question is definitely up for debate, I can’t help but throw my two cents in.
“There’s no way that guy can beat me.” -Daniel Cormier
Gameplan You have to remember that Jon Jones was training nearly 7 months for one opponent. The master of game plans, Jackson-Wink and Bones would’ve came up with a nearly airtight strategy for the dangerous wrestler that is DC. Having to switch opponents 3 weeks out is not something team Jackson usually does, not to mention when it’s a 6′ 3″ southpaw. Alpha Lets face it, Jon Jones is the Alpha male in this situation. He won the first bout decisively and knows he can beat the champ. While DC is left wondering, Jones has tangible evidence he’s the better man. That builds confidence that can’t be denied. Size DC’s much smaller than Ovince St. Preux – Jon Jones had to give his respect to the longer dangerously athletic southpaw that was pretty much his size. I don’t think he would’ve give the same amount of respect to DC, knowing his length would’ve given him a lot more leeway, and a lot more room to dance. He also wouldn’t have been so hesitant on the trigger knowing he was less likely to get counterpunched from a closer range. While it’s fun to play hypothetical, you’ve got to give the nod to Jon Jones. He’s the better fighter and the man with all the confidence. I do think however there is a certain man he would’ve lost to with that performance, a swedish gentleman by the last name Gustafsson. Alexander Gustafsson would’ve taken it to Jon – no doubt. They’ve already met once in the octagon and Gus certainly wouldn’t have given him the respect OSP did. Gus would’ve found his weak spots and exploited his inability to pull the trigger. Would he have finished him? Maybe, but I would put money on it that Gustafsson walks out of the cage with his hand raised. As for Anthony Johnson, that one’s a toss up, if it goes past round 3, Jones. But making it to round 3 with Anthony Johnson is a task within itself. What do you guys think of Jon Jones’s performance? Was it enough to take reclaim the strap, or does he come up short?
