This week’s hot topic is UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. He’s the hub of what is making mixed martial arts pulse with many questions emanating from Bones’ recent performance and post-fight actions.
After his unanimous decision victory over challenger Glover Teixeira this past weekend, the 26-year-old champion took to social media with some parting shots towards top 10 light heavyweight Phil Davis, UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell as well as detractors who took issue with “Bones” consistently placing his hand Teixeira’s head throughout the bout.
I posed the question on Twitter to gauge whether fans agreed or disagreed with what Jones was doing. The answers were all over the map, ranging from “Marketing 101,” to a portion that despised the champ’s posts while many others believe it was all just fine.
https://twitter.com/AdamMAVERICK1/status/461520983774339072
I, for one, have no issue with this assessment but beware of the backlash that comes from it. Over the years, I’ve personally learned that it’s impossible to please everyone, so it’s important to be who you really are and accept there are those who will like you and those who will not.
This is another assessment I can agree with but it all depends on what Jon’s immediate, mid- and long-term goals are. Brand development and remaining on course can be a tricky slope. Is Jon a good guy who should be looked at as a role model? I believe so. But is he voluntarily, accidentally or purposely embracing the “heel” role, consistently stirring the pot and going against the grain?
Over the past year or so the only consistency I see with the Jon Jones brand is inconsistency. One minute he’s the good guy, the next minute he’s not. Preaching inspiration one day, mocking haters the next. I don’t know what to label this, but it makes for great fodder as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the sport will be with us for a long time. Just imagine when he actually hits his peak.
I believe so. Despite Jones not wanting to talk about “that kid” on Saturday night, he knows there will be plenty of time to drum up hype, hatred and respect for “The Mauler.”
The sense I got from Jones at the UFC 172 post-fight press conference was that he simply wanted to celebrate the victory over Teixeira and not worry about Gustafsson until he has to. I have to agree with the champ on this one, but the vast majority of media and fans are clamouring for this rematch to take place so they wanted answers right away.
I don’t know if it was by accident or on purpose, but considering the relationship between Dana White and Tito Ortiz, it could have been done on purpose. I’ve always been disturbed by how the grievances between the two are always in the public eye. But, as I’ve said far too many times in the past, it will continue until they once again shake hands and call it a day. They will — mark my words — but not anytime soon.
For Ortiz’s entire UFC career he competed as a light heavyweight and collected 15 victories inside the Octagon. Jon Jones has 14, so “Bones” obviously needs one more to tie Ortiz and two more to set the new record.
What is often forgotten is that the UFC is a business, not a sport. MMA is a sport. The UFC is allowed to run their business however they want. If folks would accept that, they likely wouldn’t get so emotional over situations of this nature. I don’t often make judgments on what’s right and what’s wrong, I just sit back, accept and analyze. It’s a lot less stressful that way.
I’ve harped on this issue before, especially the “have to beat the champ” theory, which I believe is one of the most ridiculous ever.
Fights — whether championship bouts or not — all start on an equal playing field. No one has the upper hand. Each fighter must win each moment, exchange, minute and round to garner 10 points, while the other is given nine points or less.
If a challenger has “to beat the champ” in every round, then that means the champion is already ahead on the scorecards.
Do the Chicago Blackhawks already get a one goal advantage before the game starts? Do the Boston Red Sox get a one-run lead before the first pitch? No. Therefore each round and bout starts even and equal. Each fighter must effectively do enough to win the round.
You’re already assuming Jon Jones will defeat Alexander Gustafsson. I’m not. Let’s cross this bridge after the rematch.
The initial answer is yes, but it’s likely going to depend on their performances and how exciting that fight will be. Nowadays merit could fall to excitement, fan popularity and what the best return on investment may be. It’s a business folks; accept it or hate it.
What I was taught under the C.O.M.M.A.N.D. system is simple: a takedown means nothing if you don’t do anything with it. If you’re taking someone down to the ground, then your goal is to finish the fight on the ground. If you aren’t finishing the fight, the takedown means nothing. You’re playing it safe.
Now, multiple takedowns do show two things under the judging criteria listed under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martials Arts: “control of the fighting area, effective aggressiveness.”
That scores points in my books.
I agree wholeheartedly for a variety of reasons. I can show you two different fights that ended 30-27 on all three judges scorecards that looked vastly different from one another. One winner just squeezed by in every round, while the winner in the second fight completely dominated his opponent.
I will be tackling this very issue in the near future, so stay tuned. You asked if there other options and I’m here to tell you there are.
I don’t agree that UFC 175 will be the biggest pay-per-view of 2014. That distinction will fall on whatever numbered UFC event has the rematch between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson. That, my friend, could be a monstrous one.