Quote:
Originally Posted by The Return Of......  how so?
i mean, imo i think bones can hang with those guys just because of his style and explosion and watching him fight.
but what does 2 prospects fighthing really show us outside of which is the better prospect at the moment.
neither one of these guys have proven to be in machida or shoguns league based on anyone they have beaten, so what does beating each other really show us? |
I take it that we all have seen both Machida and Shogun fight the last 3-4 years. I mention 3-4 years back simply because of the way this sport continually evolves with strategy and injuries. We have seen Machida and Shogun at their BEST and at their WORST. Say what you will about the rest of the "contenders" at LHW, but aside from Rashad those two are top 2 in the UFC right now.
With that said, we also understand and can visualize the strengths of each fighter mentioned above. When you look at the fights both guys (Bader and Jones) have taken the past 3 years and the way they have evolved, you can conclude or perceive how their fight will effect their place in the division.
Jones came into the UFC with a bit of hype because of his athleticism, age and REACH. F-in huge at 85 inches. He did ok and was quite flashy. By the time he got into the third round with Bonnar his gas tank looked like one out of a Hummer H3. Subsequently he has gotten back on the train and worked hard to get fights where he wants them and changed his pace. Maybe he has what it takes to go three full rounds hard with intensity?
Enter Ryan Bader. One of the hardest working pure wrestlers we have seen a in along time at the professional level, next to his training partner, Cain Velasquez. The guy is a Cardio machine, a strength and conditioning monster, and an ever improving boxer in the cage. Tremendous heart, great chin, and explosive power. Taller, bigger and stronger than Rashad, Shogun and Machida. One of the reasons I say stronger is that I measure strength not just in physical aesthetics but in actual intensity and relentlessness shown in a fight. That has to do with the fact that Bader has always and will always be around his target weight. He spent his whole amateur wrestling and MMA career thus far at his target weight. He trains to compete around a frame that fits him. Jones on the other hand IMO will outgrow his current weight and will most likely have to move up to HW at some point. Once again we will see AFTER these two fight and how he reacts physically against a guy that can grind him out on the cage and the ground.
When you pin two athletes like Bones and Bader together you get fireworks. You get two guys who are going to pull out everything they have in their respective arsenals in order to beat the other guy. Why? Because they both know about ALL the hype surrounding them. They both CANT lose. Not because they will be cut, but because in all honesty one will end up with the title of fluke. Or worse..the title of Brandon Vera. Maybe Fluke is a harsh word, but just not deserving of all the hype and somewhat start over.
After their fight we will see if they can hang with the top guys or not. It will answer the questions others have about them. Not me really as I know they can really beat anyone in the division with the right amount of time and strategy. Although I think Bones is the future of this division and the UFC in general, I disagree that he will walk thru the likes of Bader. I will however state emphatically that the likes of Franklin and Griffin are absolutely NO match for either guy. Both Bader and Bones would hurt Rich and Forrest in a bad way. I really dont even see how they can hold a candle to each when you compare their styles and power.
Back to your question of how so..its simple. If they are to be worthy of title contention or opponents they will prove it when they tangle themselves as I stated above. If they can then they will need to fight the Rampage's and Silvas first. If they cant then we know they belong with the Franklins of the division. The exposure they will get by fighting each other will tell a story of their respective weaknesses and strengths that will show infancy or experience. Who has evolved the way the UFC foresaw to move up the ladder. Its the UFC equivalent to MMA math.
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