This is the first part in an ongoing series taking a look at individual fighters based on their actual strengths and weaknesses rather than on whatever hype they may have surrounding them. This is still opinion, but it's opinion based on a decade of MMA fandom and unaffected by Marketing Machines of Doom. I'm calling this as I see it.
Jone Jones: The Next Fedor or the next Crystal Pepsi?
I liked Crystal Pepsi. It had a lot going for it. An interesting, undefinable taste that was unique amongst sodas, while being caffeine free and having slightly less calories than conventional cola drinks. What it also had was a gigantic marketing campaign that built it up to be far more than what it was, which was a clear cola. A clear caffeine free soda. That's what it was. Nothing more. Nothing less. If it had received the same kind of basic product introduction most new drinks do I could be sitting here sipping some fizzy goodness. As it is, the quick explosion of sales puttered into non-existence due to the hype backlash. Build something up too much and it's only going to hurt you in the long run. Let it have a slow burn and over time you'll find yourself more profitable.
What does this have to do with Jon Jones? Everything, really. Jones isn't quite getting the insane levels of hype that Brock Lesnar received (thank the MMA gods), but he is getting a strong push from the UFC Marketing Machine of Doom. They'll have you believe he's the next great fighter, the detractors say he's nothing but lucky. What's the truth?
The truth hurts, so bring Tylenol.
Even at this young age, with as relatively little experience as he has overall, Jones knows how to use his size very well and knows what odd things his frame is capable of. His 84" reach is longer than 6'11" four-time K1 GP champion Semmy Schilt's reach. With his elbows he probably has as much range on the ground as the average fighter does with his entire arm, and he puts everything he has behind those elbows. In this respect he reminds me quite a lot of Fedor Emelianenko. Oh yes, I said that. Don't hate me. It's the truth. But it isn't necessarily a good thing.
Jones's biggest problem is his tendency to leave those long limbs unattended. So far he hasn't faced a punishing submission artist but the day he does will be a very quick and sobering lesson. Throwing as hard as he does, he ends up with his hands near his opponents neck quite often. Even with my minimal grappling experience I know that's a complete no-no. His propensity for overcommitting on ground strikes will get him tapped sooner rather than later, but he strikes me as a fighter that learns with great rapidity and won't make that mistake twice.
The greatest strength Jones has is that he simply does not get hit much. His movement is nothing short of astonishing. The speed at which he retreats from punches is staggering, as is the fact that even while retreating his extra-long arms give him enough reach and power to stay on the offensive. At times he's a bit too busy with his footwork and needs to settle down. At other times, he's too complacent. His strength is phenomenal, as are his takedown defense and throws. That move he put on Bonnar, the one that looked like a modified Sumi Gaeshi (I'm certain there's a specific name for it, but I'm only familiar with judo terminology), was ridiculous. Not many people would have the strength and timing to pull it off, especially without a gi, but he managed it.
Overall, cutting through the BS, Jones is probably the best young talent in the sport. He still has a wildness to his style that will inevitably lead to a loss or five, but once the kinks are worked out he has the raw talent to be a top ten competitor for years to come. Before watching all of his fights I could find before writing this I knew nothing about Jones other than the hype that was surrounding him. While most of it is BS, as usual, he does warrant the attention he is receiving and I will definitely watch his future fights with much interest. Hell, he's still not even in his prime as a fighter. Just imagine what he could be like eight years from now.
Hype: The best prospect in MMA.
Reality: Emphasis on prospect.
Conclusion: The raw talent is there, he simply needs to hone it. He will most likely suffer his first real loss at the hands of Shogun. The true test is whatever fight he lands after that, where we'll see if he has what it takes to come back stronger from losses.
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