Jones' next opponet

[Uncle Phatso]

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/3/20/2061310/champ-jon-jones-vs-rashad-evans-is-official

Is none other than Rashad Evans

Yes it's true people, after Jon won his first Ufc title last night Dana White told the world he would be facing Rashad Evans. Really no suprise as Jon took his spot in that title fight. But put your thoughts in on the matter.

Honestly I believe Jon has a huge hill to climb over with Rashad. Rashad has beaten the best. But on the other hand the man Jon beat last night was considered the best in the world by many. So really it will all just be a matter of can he keep out of the spotlight and train his ass off to prepare for his partner. They both know each other very well, but who knows.

 

[Dave]

Dana will be thanking his lucky stars that Jones managed to beat Rua last night and that is due to this match being made. Let's face it, over the last couple of weeks, we have been hearing about the dwindling relationship between Jones and Evans. Evans being sour that Jones took his spot in last night's match will want to come into the match and take his opponent's head off to show that he could have managed the same feat.

Honestly, I knew that this match was coming from the very moment that Jones beat Rua, it just makes a lot of sense. Not only is there history between Jones and Evans but Evans was taken out of the match against Rua because of injury. He will think that he has what it takes to beat Rua and Jones. The match between Jones and Evans is one of the most predictable matches ever announced but that shouldn't take away from the fact that it will be a hugely emotional match that I full expect to be competitive.

In the match itself, I have to give it to Evans. The way he controlled Rashad ought to show you that he is a smart fighter that will do anything to win against Jones, even if that means that it is a boring match.

 

[Fizzy]

Lol Rashad will not be able to hold Jones against the fence the way he did Rampage. This is a five round fight, and wall stalling a guy like Jones would be near impossible for one round let alone five. Not to mention Jones is a Greco based wrestler which means he specializes in clinch work, and fights up against the fence. Let's say that their wrestling cancels eachother out which I highly doubt. That means this will be a striking battle. Jones has a 10 inch reach advantage, and a five inch height advantage. How will Rashad hit him? I don't see Rashad winning this fight.

Rashad may be smart, but if rumors are true, and he isn't training with Greg Jackson anymore, than Jones will have the advantage there. Jones is a smart guy, and is training with the best game planner in the world. Jones also has the advantage there. Look at the Shogun fight. He could have rushed for the finish the first time he had Shogun hurt, but he was smart knowing that would be stupid to rush a fighter the caliber of Shogun. Outside of a huge punch, I don't see Rashad winning here.

 

[ROCKY VS CENA OMG]

I like this fight idea. You have the champ who got the title shot because the previous challenger was injured. Hopefully Rashad Evans can bring it. This fight will be able to sell because you have the unstoppable you force that just dismantled Shogun Rua vs the challenger whose shot got taken. Rashad won't be able to outstrike Jones as Jones has a ridiculous long reach and that will force Rashad to take it to the ground. As a result I want to see Rashad's wrestling vs Jones's wrestling and who ever controls that facet of the match will win.

 

[jmt225]

I think a part me now will be rooting for Splenda even though I like Jones more.

At this point, with the hype Jones is getting, if Rashad actually beat him, then it would perhaps go down as the biggest upset in MMA history.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, will give Rashad any sort of shot of beating Jones in this fight. Even with the, "Jones trained with Rashad so he must know a weakness" thing going for him, there's not one MMA fan who will give Rashad the slightest bit of a chance to beat Jones. The only people who will believe in Rashad are his friends and family. That's it.

So, with that said, you kind of want to root for the underdog. I mean, I don't like Rashad's lay and pray style, but it's not like the guy is a piece of shit. Rashad is as every bit of a good dude as Jon Jones is.

But, my head says what every other MMA fan also thinks, and that's that Rashad doesn't stand a chance. Jones is just too good. The guy's wrestling combined with his size and strength is phenomenal, and with his reach advantage and creativity, he should have the edge on the feet as well. I just don't see any way Rashad wins this fight.

 

[Tha Wolfpac]

I really don't see how Rashad even remotely has a chance against Jon Jones. Dominance is the word i now associate with Jon Jones, he dominated Shogun is every aspect and will dominate Rashad in every aspect. What i noticed with Jones is that he completely throws you off your game plan and makes you think twice before every move, a great key to success. Jones will keep his distance, utilise his huge reach advantage and not get taken down against Rashad i can guarantee it. And i agree with JMT when says if Jones were to lose against Rashad this would go down as a huge upset that is how much hype there is around Jones. And you know what he deserves it.

 

[Uncle Phatso]

Here basically is the match up in stats

Size and stats
Rashad is giving up 10 inches of reach to Bones
Both men are in the same weight(of course)
Bones has 5 inches of height over Rashad

Wrestling and other trades
Jones is known as a Greco roman wrestler
Rashad had a sort of lackluster carrier at Michigan state with a 48-34 record. But did beat West Virginia monster Greg Jones 3-2.
Both men are practitioners of Gaidojutsu
Rashad has a black belt in Bjj and is famous for his stalling on the ground to try and work that in.

Wins-Loss- Draw/Dq
Both men are almost the same in this category
Rashad is 17-1-1 draw
Bones has a 13-1-1 Dq record
Rashad compiled with his Bjj and stalling has worked out 8 decisions compared to Jon's 2.
Bones has 8 knockouts compared to Rashad's 5
Both men have small submission wins, but in my book Jones takes it with his love of the Guillotine choke. His three sub wins have come from that move, compared to Rashads two of submission to punches, and a non clarified submission.
Jon's last Tko was on March 19, 2011, his last submission was on February 5, 2011, and his last Dec. was on February 5, 2011.
Compared to Rashads last Tko was on December 27, 2008, his last submission was on April 10, 2004, and his last Dec. was on May 29, 2010

Just a few stats I’m sure most already know. But figured I would post them for the people who don't