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[AnchorPunch]

Struve isn't some scrub. He's a very solid HW who has nasty finishing abilities - by KO or by Sub.

He does leave some openings, but he's stylistically very well matched against Jones: equally long reach, willing to kick, very good off his back, long enough that leaning up for elbows on the ground will be a more difficult affair for Jones, etc.

Styles make fights. I don't think it makes sense to play this as a matter of rankings.

[Fe1]

Originally Posted by MMA4EVERRR

JJ vs Struve would be an interesting matchup. I don't know why many of you dismiss Struve in the fight, saying Jones would easily win. Few things to factor in the match up are:

Identical reach: Jones won't have the luxury to stay on the outside and pick apart like he comfortably does.

Height: Jones is 6'4 and Struve is 6'11. Tallest opponent Jones has fought was Bonnar at 6'4. Last few fights it has been guys who were 6'-6'2". Anyone who understands striking knows it's different to throw strikes up at an opponent as compared to down at them.

If Jones were to take Struve down, he again wont have the luxury to sit in the guard and use his length to throw down elbows. He would have to pass Struve's guard and in mount for his elbows to reach Struve's face. Not to mention, Struve has a great BJJ game off his back.

Struve is also getting bigger with each fight. He could be in the 260 range by the time these 2 were to ever fight. Anyone will tell you it's a lot harder to take down a bigger opponent.

Intriguing fight, but I dont see this being Jones first fight at HW. I think a more favorable matchup would benefit him.

^^ This

What do you think would be a more favourable fight?

[MMA4EVERRR]

Originally Posted by Fe1

^^ This

What do you think would be a more favourable fight?

Roy Nelson. Dana dislikes him and I can see him pushing Joe Silva to book that matchup. Plus, Nelson has a big enough name to generate hype.

Del Rosario and Miocic would be good fights too to start Jones off at HW. Both guys have great striking and Stipe has the wrestling to counter Jones. But neither has enough hype or name recognition.

[lwbrewer]

Originally Posted by MMA4EVERRR

Roy Nelson. Dana dislikes him and I can see him pushing Joe Silva to book that matchup. Plus, Nelson has a big enough name to generate hype.

Del Rosario and Miocic would be good fights too to start Jones off at HW. Both guys have great striking and Stipe has the wrestling to counter Jones. But neither has enough hype or name recognition.

Just Jones Name on his first HW bout will generate enough viewers on it's own

[Fe1]

Originally Posted by MMA4EVERRR

Roy Nelson. Dana dislikes him and I can see him pushing Joe Silva to book that matchup. Plus, Nelson has a big enough name to generate hype.

Del Rosario and Miocic would be good fights too to start Jones off at HW. Both guys have great striking and Stipe has the wrestling to counter Jones. But neither has enough hype or name recognition.

A fight with Roy would make sense. As for the other two, a fight with anyone that isn't in the top ten just wouldn't be good for anyone. Maybe on a free card, but it would be a waste of time for Jones.

[Sniggles]

GSP/Anderson April 2013

Anderson/Jones Oct 2013

[CtGreat]

Jones shouldn't get a top 10 HW on his first trip up there. Start him off slow, maybe a top 15 opponent in Nelson. Meathead would be an exciting matchup also.

[megamus]

Originally Posted by Sniggles

GSP/Anderson April 2013

Anderson/Jones Oct 2013

I wouldn't doubt it but I think they will likely make anderson defend his title at least once between super fights so i see that jones fight pushed back till early 2014,

i at least hope they make anderson defend his title, if they do the april/october superfights for him as you suggest the title must be relinquished. if he wants big money superfights then give it to him but without a title.

[CtGreat]

Silva said in an interview that he might relinquish the title inorder to pursue big money super fights, so it's possible. I just really want to see Silva vs Shogun.

[Kimbo> Rampage]

I also dont see how guys like Werdum, Mir, or Barnett beat him... None of them get him down, and he he outstrikes them all, even if its just a UD...
He has a huge speed advantage over all of them... A solid wrestling advantage, and will mostlikely get a Jackson gameplan that avoids their ground games...

Nelson is someone who Jones easily picks apart with his speed and reach... Roy cant get him down imo... but Yes Roy has a granite chin and hits very hard... so you cannot count him out, against anyone.

Originally Posted by AnchorPunch

Struve isn't some scrub. He's a very solid HW who has nasty finishing abilities - by KO or by Sub.

He does leave some openings, but he's stylistically very well matched against Jones: equally long reach, willing to kick, very good off his back, long enough that leaning up for elbows on the ground will be a more difficult affair for Jones, etc.

Styles make fights. I don't think it makes sense to play this as a matter of rankings.

Agree completely... However im still not sold on his standup... Even in the fights where he prevailed standing, he still got tagged consistently and KO'd in others... Jones would also have a sizable reach advantage...

If Struve got on top of Jones, it would be the worst case scenario... but Struve wont be able to get him down... But you do bring up a good point... Jones' elbows would be less effective, because of the leverage difference based on struve's body length... Also Jones would be in danger if he took Struve down and was on top of him... He would have to watch out for subs... Agree with that...

but to not see Jones getting the finish or the UD at the very least standing as the most possible outcome would be misguided imo...