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[Kimbo> Rampage]

Not sure, but randy is in for a beating.

YouTube - Lyoto Machida: Wrap Up From Belem

Machida has to be jon's biggest immediate threat. His elusive striking will give jones problems, the big problem for lyoto is that he will need to get past jones reach to land his strikes but lyoto is much harder to take down than shogun and even poses a threat with his own takedowns.

[CHAEL fan]

Threat? Nope....another victim inside of three rounds?....fo' sure.

[Spoon]

He's on a 2 fight losing streak (3 if you count the first Shogun fight). If he does win the fight with Randy, it's still going to be a while before he earns another title shot. And with the way the title has been changing hands, Jones might not even be the champion, once he gets a title shot. On the other hand, if he loses his fight with Randy, Dana has already alluded to him being cut from the UFC.

Realistically, his biggest threat is Anderson Silva. Silva eventually fighting GSP at catch weight, having 2-3 more fights at middle weight, and then moving up to light heavyweight. Whether Jones is still the champ or not at that point, and the stars align for all of that to happen in Silva's career, the UFC would make that fight.

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by Spoon

He's on a 2 fight losing streak (3 if you count the first Shogun fight). If he does win the fight with Randy, it's still going to be a while before he earns another title shot. And with the way the title has been changing hands, Jones might not even be the champion, once he gets a title shot. On the other hand, if he loses his fight with Randy, Dana has already alluded to him being cut from the UFC.

Realistically, his biggest threat is Anderson Silva. Silva eventually fighting GSP at catch weight, having 2-3 more fights at middle weight, and then moving up to light heavyweight. Whether Jones is still the champ or not at that point, and the stars align for all of that to happen in Silva's career, the UFC would make that fight.

You pretty much hit it right on the button with Machida. Machida may be a threat to Jones but he will not see a title shot for probably about 18 months and a good 3-4 wins. Who knows if Jones will be Champion by then or even moved up to HW by then. Remember Jones is only 23 and there is a good chance he will at some point be unable to make the cut to 205.

I do disagree with the second part. I think Rampage is the biggest threat to Jones right now. Not saying Rampage will beat Jones, but I think style wise Rampage is his toughest fight coming up.

[duffman83]

In the short term, I think the biggest threat to Jon Jones' title reign is that every 205 champion, even him, needs to bring their absolute A game to every defense. Since Liddell, there have only been two successful title defenses, despite the fact that the champion was repeatedly the heavy favorite in fights. As amazing as Bones is, even he doesn't have the separation from the top people in his division that the likes of Silva, GSP and (possibly) Cain have. Is he better than his presumed next two opponents Rashad and Rampage? I would argue yes. Would I hesitate to bet on him winning both of those fights, particularly considering his breakneck pace? Absolutely.

Long term, I think his most dangerous opponent will be Phil Davis. With the 84.5 inch wingspan likely to keep most strikers largely at bay, the best way to beat Jones will be to outwrestle him. This seems very (very) difficult, but if anyone in the UFC can do it, Mr. Wonderful can. Still, that's at least 18 months down the road IMO.

[Pasha K]

I agree that machida can be a very legit threat to Jones.

If he beats Couture easily he will probably get his title shot. I mean, who else will get it?
Rampage would get destroyed by Jones, and I dont think they will give Shogun a rematch inmediately.

[Kimbo> Rampage]

wow, whats with all this if he gets past randy? ya if cain could beat faber...

yes he lost to shogun, his loss to rampage could go either way. rashad will get his shot, but then who? doubt that shogun will get a rematch that soon, rampage just came off of the toss up fight with lyoto and got beat by rashad before that. id be fine with rampage getting the shot after evans, but lyoto should get the next one. davis needs a couple more fights after little nog before even being mentioned.

[NLRepublic]

His elusive striking won't mean anything when Bones throws him on his back and elbows him into the mat

Machida is FAR from Bones' kryptonite. Would he give him a fight? Possibly, but Bones still finishes him

[CHAEL fan]

Originally Posted by rampage9712

wow, whats with all this if he gets past randy? ya if cain could beat faber...

yes he lost to shogun, his loss to rampage could go either way. rashad will get his shot, but then who? doubt that shogun will get a rematch that soon, rampage just came off of the toss up fight with lyoto and got beat by rashad before that. id be fine with rampage getting the shot after evans, but lyoto should get the next one. davis needs a couple more fights after little nog before even being mentioned.

Why would Cain fight Faber???

[Ramma]

Well, the Jones wagon is running wild right now, so I wouldn't expect anything different from this thread.

Jones has quite a few threats as 205, Lyoto included. Jones is far from unbeatable. Jones is new to the game and has not been put in a lot of situations. Do I think Jones loses his next fight? No. Do I think Jones will be the champion two years from now? No. Unless he losses it, and manages to get it again.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing which bandwagon many of you hop on next. It should be fun to watch...as always it always is.