Daniel Cormier vs Jon Jones 2
It’s been a long time coming, but now the moment is finally upon us. Once again we’ll have the distinct honor of witnessing two of the most talented light heavyweights in MMA history bludgeon each other with their fists as Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones share the octagon this Saturday night. It’s one of those special kinds of matches where you know that each man truly despises the other and for that reason alone this fight is a compelling watch. Add the fact that both men are at the top of their game and you have a pretty compelling match up that should offer some fireworks.
Daniel Cormier may be the UFC light heavyweight champion, yet he has been able to win over the hearts of fans, which in itself is pure madness. An all action fighter who always looks to rough up his opponents and test their will, Daniel Cormier has put on some of the most exciting performances in mixed martial arts history. You don’t have to look much further than his bouts with Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson to prove that. He stays busy in clinch positions and always manages to give his usually taller opposition trouble in close.
What Cormier should look to do in this rematch is take a more calculated approach. That’s not to say that he should change he style of pressure fighting, but instead modify it’s effectiveness (which I suppose is the whole point). In his first fight with Jones, Cormier all but abandoned his jab for long stretches choosing to simply march forward and throw right hands. In this fight he should rely a bit more on that jab as a range finder as well as a distraction to hide his front kicks and low kicks. If Jones fights from the southpaw stance then Cormier should be throwing that right inside low kick or the right hand, alternating between the two to keep the former champion guessing.
He should also work the body with straight right hands and front kicks. Jones is hard to hit clean to the head so focusing on the body will allow Cormier to score and potentially open up the chin when his opponent is distracted. His wrestling should also be a priority, but rather than focusing on getting Jones to the ground, Cormier should use it to set up his uppercut that he’s so fond of.
On the flip side we have the enigma that is Jon Jones, one of the most talented fighters to ever walk the earth. Yet, despite that very fact, Jones is plagued by his own demons which have often both helped him inside the cage and destroy his public image outside of it. Despite that fact, Jon Jones is a creative and calculated fighter who knows how to use all the tools in his arsenal. For example, while he may be a taller fighter, he knows how to fight in close and has dominated fights in the clinch.
What Jones should aim to do in this fight is ironically very similar to what Cormier’s gameplan should be. Jones got away from his jab in the first match and since he’s the taller, longer fighter, he should be using his length to land shots on Cormier from the outside. A long jab, front and side kicks to the body will serve him well in this match up.
If Cormier bull rushes, a well time knee will take the wind out of the champion’s sails. With Jon Jones there are so many tools that can be used that it can be tricky to decide which is the best option at times. But keeping things simple here is the best approach. When Cormier is at range use kicks to keep him at bay. When in close, elbows, knees, and drop to a double leg takedown should take priority.
This is going to be a close fight and should provide us with one of the most exciting fights of the year. If the Mayweather-McGregor fight has your interest then there’s no doubt that watching Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones slug it out will keep you satisfied until August 26.
Who wins at UFC 214?
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Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
