dlxrevolution

Lets just face it, after seeing Jonny Bones Jones dominate the Light Heavyweight division, it is clear that his greatest challengers are going to come from another weight class. More specifically, Anderson Silva (UFC MW Champ), and Daniel Cormier (Strikeforce HW Champ). The question is, who is a worse match up for Jon Jones.

Many fans are calling for Jon Jones vs Anderson Silva (A fight that I think will not happen, but thats another discussion). This is how I see that match up:

While Jon Jones is the bigger fighter, Anderson has the speed advantage, incredible reflexes, and his striking the years ahead of Jon Jones, even though I think Jones's reach will nullify that to a certain extent. Jones has the wrestling advantage, and is notorious for his Gnp and elbows. Many people will say Jones has is the better athlete, but it's hard to say who really is the better athlete as both fighters are gifted in different areas.

So that makes for an interesting fight. But another interesting fight which is much more likely to happen, and I think should get much more attention than it's getting, is Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier.

I think Daniel Cormier would pose a more difficult challege to Jon Jones than Anderson Silva, because while Cormier doesn't have the length the Jones has, he is just as strong, his wrestling is just as good, if not, superior to Jon Jones. He has shown a good chin so far. He has more power. He is very fast, and he striking is very VERY solid, good enough imo to overcome Jons reach. I think if and when that fight happens, Jons Light Heavyweight Belt, and Golden aura will be in jeoparty.

So that is my whole take is how both these guys match up with Jones, and who would be more dangerous. What about yours?

(If this is a duplicate thread I sincerely apologize)

LL

Anderson is too small and is only getting older, his TDD is the weakest part of his game and Jones' wrestling is the best part of his.

Cormier would probably be a tougher test but I don't give either that good of a chance of beating Jones.

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Hammerlock2.0

Anderson is the better matchup for Jones, no doubt. Still, I think he'd beat Cormier and lose against Anderson.

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ClydebankBlitz

Cormier is the worse fight for a few reasons. Besides the in-ring skills, losing to Anderson doesnt hurt Jones, but losing to Cormier gives a new LHW king.

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A. Overeem : G. Nelson : R. Khabilov : T. Means : C. Mills

Brydon

Very interesting topic. For me it all depends on whether he can fend off Cormiers takedowns. If he can then Anderson is the tougher match up, if not then Cormier is.

People like to bring Andersons TDD into question but in reality it is very good and Jones is not really a takedown artist at this point, at least not with his leg attacks.

It would be the first time Anderson has fought anyone with a reach longer than his in the UFC and the best striker he has faced also. I still give Anderson the advantage here though.

I see Jon Jones using his huge height and reach advantage against Cormier, mixed with his good and improving footwork and TDD I see him beating Cormier by UD.

I think Anderson would really put Jones in trouble standing and possesses all the skills needed to beat Jones.

In regard of these points, I feel Anderson is a tougher match up.

duckyou666

Cormier or Silva?

Cormier, elite Wrestler, decent Boxing with power. You know who else was an elite Wrestler with decent Boxing and power? Rashad Evans, Ryan Bader, Vladimir Matyushenko and Matt Hamill. Bones crushed all of them, except for Evans but he still won handily. Cormier brings nothing new to the table for Bones.

Silva, on the other hand, has a bag of tools that Bones has never had to deal with. Not just the fact that he's the absolute best striker in the world, but the speed, precision, technique and he is deadly from his back. If Bones tries to control the distance and strike with Silva, he loses by brutal KO. And..., even if he takes Silva down, he's still in danger of losing by sub. Hell..., even if he can clinch and control Silva, he's still at a severe deficit when it comes to striking there.

Silva is easily the worse match up for Bones.

HitOrGetHit

It's hard to say. Anderson is on point with his striking and has a very dangerous ground game. DC is just a monster and will surely be the best wrestler JBJ has faced. I'm really not sure, but if I absolutely had to pick, I would think DC would be the harder fight.

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AlphaDawg

Daniel Cormier. He has the better wrestling and decent striking. As long as mixes it up well, he'd have a very good chance at winning.

I don't see Silva doing too well against Jones. He would just get poked in the eyes and hip tossed to the floor.

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Ape City

This is how i see the match up as well. IM also worried about Cormier not being used to the weight cut at having cardio issues in later rounds vs Jones.

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cdtcpl

This is my thought exactly. + rep

Silva would be giving up the reach, but if there was one guy in the UFC who I think wouldn't be worried about reach it would be A.Silva.