UFC (Jon Jones)

[TBradyOwnsYou]

We've got 2 cards in the next 7 days, Versus 2 and 117. Jon Jones fights today and he in my opinion is the most intriguing prospect the UFC has seen in ANY division for a long time. Dana White doesn't want to push him up the ladder "too fast" which means a title shot is a ways coming. However, there really are only so many sub-par fighters they can throw at him before they have to let him have some top shelf competition. Who do you think will be his first "big" fight, when, and why?

If it were up to me, I'd put him against the winner of Nogueira/Bader at UFC 119. They'd fight sometime in February-ish, maybe the Super Bowl card? I think this would propel him up in to the mix for a top contender spot, and probably about a year or so from a title shot, meeting Dana's timeline.
I just don't think there is any middle of the road talent left that they can justify throwing at Jones (unless he loses at some point of course).

 

[STFarmy]

We've got 2 cards in the next 7 days, Versus 2 and 117. Jon Jones fights today and he in my opinion is the most intriguing prospect the UFC has seen in ANY division for a long time. Dana White doesn't want to push him up the ladder "too fast" which means a title shot is a ways coming. However, there really are only so many sub-par fighters they can throw at him before they have to let him have some top shelf competition. Who do you think will be his first "big" fight, when, and why?

If it were up to me, I'd put him against the winner of Nogueira/Bader at UFC 119. They'd fight sometime in February-ish, maybe the Super Bowl card? I think this would propel him up in to the mix for a top contender spot, and probably about a year or so from a title shot, meeting Dana's timeline.
I just don't think there is any middle of the road talent left that they can justify throwing at Jones (unless he loses at some point of course).

Great to see someone else talk about MMA! I used to start threads about them a lot, but they would often die quick. As for Jones, I think you're right; he's one of the best prospects the UFC has. And I also think that you are correct in putting him (assuming he wins tonight, which is not 100% obviously) against the winner of Nog/Bader. The winner of that fight would definitely be in line for top contender status. There is, however, the small matter of the Machida/Rampage fight, too. The winner of that fight is arguably in the mix as well.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

I think it goes like this:
Machida beats Rampage, get's winner of Rua/Evans. Rua wins and we see Machida/Rua 3. Meanwhile Jones gets the winner of Nog/Bader and the winner of that gets the winner of a Rampage/Griffin rematch. Rich Franklin fights Thiago Silva and the winner of both the above matches fight for a title shot against the winnner of the Machida/Rua rubber match.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Jon Jones vs Forrest Griffin at UFC 123 is what Im hearing.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

Jones has come out saying he won't fight his buddy Evans.
Jones is now, unfortunately, dead to me.

 

[DFlo]

Jones is one of the most entertaining fighters. Dana must be praying for Jones to beat Rua.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Jones is one of the most entertaining fighters. Dana must be praying for Jones to beat Rua.

Shogun is just as if not more entertaining.

 

[Hardboiled]

Not interested in Jones/Evans and I don't think I'm alone.

UFC needs to make Jones/Silva happen.

 

[TheRealMcCagh]

Jones and Evans train together at Jackson's (albuquerque represent!) so it makes sense they wont want to fight each other. And if Silva beats Jones in a title fight wouldn't that mean he has two belts from separate weight's at the same time?

 

[Hardboiled]

Jones and Evans train together at Jackson's (albuquerque represent!) so it makes sense they wont want to fight each other. And if Silva beats Jones in a title fight wouldn't that mean he has two belts from separate weight's at the same time?

If Silva moved to 205, it would be a title bout. They also can fight at a catch weight for a non-title fight. It happens with a fighter doesn't make weight or is planned. Diaz/Shamrock was catch weight. I think Hughes/ Royce Gracie was also.

Evans left Jackson's camp.