Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Assuming that the speculation about a certain phone call in the middle of the night is true, what are your thoughts? Who would win? Already bookmakers are saying Jones would start as a 3-1 favorite over the legendary Silva, and it's easy to see why. The one weakness in Silva's game is his defense against Western wrestling, which Jones does rather well, as he demonstrated against Sonnen.
That being said, I would be careful in assuming Jones would be a huge favorite. I've seen a couple of fights in which he looks like Jones leaves himself open to shots in the stand-up game. In fact there were a couple of moments when Jones and Sonnen were in the clinch when I thought that Sonnen could have thrown a knee, which Silva can do with lethal results. Silva also likes foot stomps, which make catch Jones a little off guard.
I think it would be one hell of a match-up. I doubt it would go beyond two rounds, and I wouldn't be surprised if it ended in one. I think that if they were to fight twice, they'd probably each take one apiece, but Jones would probably take two of three, and maybe three of four, hypothetically speaking. In other words, I think that the overall odds reside with Jones, but Silva's so dangerous that he could stop Jones for sure if he were to make a mistake.
I think that the longer the fight were to remain a stand-up contest, the more you'd have to give the edge to Silva. That's why I think Jones would cautiously go for the take-down. If Jones gets Silva down, then it's ground-and-pound time, and Silva's never come even close to facing a ground-and-pound game as devastating as that of Jones. However, if Jones leaves himself open coming within Silva's range, if he doesn't score the take-down and Silva can clinch him (which would be harder for Silva to do against Jones, but still possible), then Jones could be in some real trouble. Silva is like the Mariano Rivera of MMA - the ultimate closer.
I hope that they don't wait too much longer. Silva is not getting any younger, and he's fighting Weidman in July. And for some reason Jones was calling out Gustafson the other day. Throw an injury into the mix and we could easily be waiting another year.
Anyway if you believe in mma math, then Jones should be able to take Silva down with ease (since Sonnen took down Silva numerous times in their first fight). And I'm not certain that Silva's striking advantage > Jones' reach advantage.
I hope that they don't wait too much longer. Silva is not getting any younger, and he's fighting Weidman in July. And for some reason Jones was calling out Gustafson the other day. Throw an injury into the mix and we could easily be waiting another year.
Anyway if you believe in mma math, then Jones should be able to take Silva down with ease (since Sonnen took down Silva numerous times in their first fight). And I'm not certain that Silva's striking advantage > Jones' reach advantage.
Honestly, this is one situation where the UFC should just eat the contract money, cancel the current fights, and let Jones and Silva go at it. Worst case, Silva gets his ass beat at light heavy and he's still the middle weight champ.
Unfortunately, due to age differences, people will *always* wonder if Silva loses to Jones, is it because of age? He's 38 now, and he'll probably be 39 by the time they hook up - if they ever do? I mean, 39 is old in the fight game - ancient!!! Jones is in the prime of his career, and he's not even in his peak physical condition. A man reaches his physical peak at about age 26 to 28 (avg 27). Sheet, Jones is still two years away, dogg!!! Silva reached that 12 or 13 years ago. Now what does that tell you about Silva>?!??!?!?!?!??!!!!
Simply put, if Silva beats Jones...he's the greatest fighter that ever lived, and that ever will have lived. Period.
It'll be a good fight because Jones is one of the few fighters that has the athleticism to compete with Silva. I think one reason Anderson has been successful is because he's more athletic than most of the guys he's fought in the middle weight divsion. Anyway I'd give it to Jones because I see him being stronger than Anderson.
Anyway if you believe in mma math, then Jones should be able to take Silva down with ease (since Sonnen took down Silva numerous times in their first fight). And I'm not certain that Silva's striking advantage > Jones' reach advantage.
Oh I missed this.
NO question that Jones has the reach. But...go back to the Machida tape. Jones had trouble with his range. Machida was an elusive striker who actually just barely missed Jones' chin - that's what people forget. Machida struck Jones, but he couldn't finish him. As good as Machida is at striking, everyone agrees that Silva is the best striker of all time. Moreover, he can take a punch. If the fight stays in the standing position, no question, Silva has the edge. It's up to Jones to take Silva down and start elbowing Silva in the face. But again, Silva can take punishment - one of the overlooked facets of Silva's game.
my guess is they will be shooting for the new years show, or superbowl. thats if silva gets by weidman which im not so sure about.
The only thing that gives me a shred of doubt in Anderson Silva's fights is his age. He's a freak of nature, but he's still 38, which is pretty old, especially in the lower weight classes, where speed and agility are of greater necessity. Weidman's got the wrestler's background and that has to count for something, but unless Silva enters the fight with a rib injury or something, he'll take out Weidman the way he's taken out just about everyone else over the past few years.
Going back to Jones, I think Bones would have to be favored because of his wrestling and, more importantly, what he does to fighters once they're on the ground - he brutalizes them. An overlooked aspect of Silva's game is that he can take punishment. His only defeat in the past 10 years was a fluke heel hook that was pulled off by a no-name Japanese fighter in PRIDE, and that was the only way Silva was going to lose that fight, which he had dominated up to that point.
I just wish this fight had happened last year. If Jones wins we'll always wonder what would have happened if Silva were a bit younger.
NO question that Jones has the reach. But...go back to the Machida tape. Jones had trouble with his range. Machida was an elusive striker who actually just barely missed Jones' chin - that's what people forget. Machida struck Jones, but he couldn't finish him. As good as Machida is at striking, everyone agrees that Silva is the best striker of all time. Moreover, he can take a punch. If the fight stays in the standing position, no question, Silva has the edge. It's up to Jones to take Silva down and start elbowing Silva in the face. But again, Silva can take punishment - one of the overlooked facets of Silva's game.
That's the thing. He "just barely missed Jones' chin." And, Machida did strike Jones, but couldn't finish him.
Jones' fighting style and reach make it so hard for people to use striking against him, and even when he does decide to do the fight standing up (Rampage?) he still wins no contest.
It seems like you could probably count on one hand how many times Jones has received a decent hit to his face in his UFC career. I don't remember exactly what I read, but I think it was something like his first 10 fights he was never even hit lol.
That's the thing. He "just barely missed Jones' chin." And, Machida did strike Jones, but couldn't finish him.
Jones' fighting style and reach make it so hard for people to use striking against him, and even when he does decide to do the fight standing up (Rampage?) he still wins no contest.
It seems like you could probably count on one hand how many times Jones has received a decent hit to his face in his UFC career. I don't remember exactly what I read, but I think it was something like his first 10 fights he was never even hit lol.
I just know what I have seen. I agree that Jones has to be the favorite; he is the physically superior athlete at this point -- no doubt about it. But as the great sport of MMA shows, every single fighter has a weakness that, given the right opponent, can be exposed. Jonny Bones Jones is an exceptional fighter, and he is so far ahead of everyone else who's not GSP or Anderson Silva, it's not even funny. That being said, he still has a lot to learn. I got the impression that Chael Sonnen was overwhelmed by Jones' superior strength and athleticism, as was Rashad Evans. I don't get the sense that either fighter was necessarily outclassed in terms of overall skill. Jones is more skilled, yes, but Silva is more so. With Anderson Silva it's simple: one mistake - just one - and the fight is over. He's proven that at 185 and at 205.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
