*Boner time* lol .... I'm gonna get some hate for this...i think
Anderson Silva is in the best shape now, he could pick apart Jones stand up...the question is, what's Jones chin like.
If they were to fight under K1/kickboxing rules, it would be an interesting fight.
MMA rules: i'm picking Jones 95/100 times.
Anderson is allergic to wrestlers. The only time he was in any trouble in the UFC is when he was put on his back: Lutter, Henderson and of course, Mr. Sonnen.
Consider this: Jones is bigger, stronger, faster, more technical, more aggressive, more creative, more destructive than Sonnen. Plus he has better striking, better grappling, better ring movement.
I'm having a hard time thinking on how Silva could win this fight.
But underestimating Silva would be/is a mistake.
Still i would go with Jones.
Alexander Gustaffrson is a dark horse right now, he has the best chance at sweeping Jones on the ground, he has KO power and submissions.
Gustaffsson is an interesting fighter, but he is relatively green. He needs more fights. Tough fights, against tough fighters.
Roger Gracie from Strikeforce is the same size as Jones and has deadly submissions, he's the love child of Gracie and Dan Severen, a giant that can tap you out.
Same as with Anderson, but in a different context: if they were to fight in a pure grappling match, it would be a very interesting fight: technique vs power.
But overall, it's hard to see how Gracie would win this. He would have to take the fight to the ground.
That is, if could hold his own on the feet. And then attempt to take down an excellent greco-roman wrestler.
Good luck with that.
Stephan Bonnar although this is in the hands of the doctors rather than the judges, Bonnar went three rounds, took everything Jones had and kept coming. He has the best chin in MMA and with Jones questionable gas tank those championship rounds look tempting.
Don't get me wrong, i love Bonnar, i find him very exciting, an overall A+ guy.
Like you say: hard chin, incredible will, tough as they come. But there's no aspect of the game where he is better than Jones.
Since their first fight, 3 years ago, Bonnar has remained pretty much the same fighter, while Jones has made gigantic improvements. If that 20 year old kid was able to do those things to Bonnar, i can't even think what this Jones would do.
One think i guarantee: Bonnar would not give up an inch. Because he's a "Psycho".
I don't wanna sound like i'm putting Jones on a pedestal, like an invincible GOD or something. But to beat Jones, you need a better fighter than him.
Guys who could surprise him in at least 2 areas of the game. Someone who would approach the game in a similar creative way. Someone that would posses great physical attributes and solid wrestling.
And it's hard to come up with a name that feets that description right now.
Only one name comes to my mind, but at this moment it's a wild bet: Phil Davis: wrestling + physical attributes - check. Somekind of creativity - check, but nowhere near enough.
But he lacks in the striking department, aggressiveness, ring movement, ground control, experience, mental game.
I'm waiting on Davis to pick up the pace starting this weekend.
Jones' win should give him some extra motivation also.
PS: i would also be curious to see how Machida get along with Jones' game