With the recent domination over Shogun Rua, Jon "Bones" Jones breathes life back to the UFC light heavy weight division with storylines and drama will taking center stage.
Jones’ first title defense will be against his former teammate and close personal friend Rashad Evans. Both of which have strong wrestling background, meaning you can expect lots of action on the fence and control on the ground. Evans was originally scheduled to fight Rua for the title but withdrew due to an knee injury in training and Jones was selected as the replacement.
(As storylines go, Evans has quit Greg Jackson’s gym, the gym he and Jones trains at.)
The experience factor will no doubt favor Evans, as he has fought a much stronger pool of fighters, but a year of ring rust due to a knee injury, reach disadvantage of 10 inches, Evans may be facing a tall (pun intended) order. More than likely Evans will need a submission or knock out if he’s to come out the octagon with the belt.
Jones is one of the new young gun generation. He's very athletic with a strong ground game and even better striking. Most of his weapons seem to nullify most of Evans strengths. Of course, he’s virtually undefeated (1 DQ) and has a large size advantage as well.
Of course, lurking drama is here, Dana White has Quinton “Rampage” Jackson fighting the winner of Jones & Evans.
If Evans comes out as the victor, it will be the second time Jackson and Evans will fight each other. Their first meeting Evans easily subdued Jackson with his wrestling and tired him out against the fence. Jackson admits to ring rust due his role as Mr. T play a large factor. So far Rashad beat Jackson in the ring, on the Ultimate Fighter and volleyball so Jackson should be fired up the second time around.
A Jones Rampage matchup will be a good fight. Jackson’s style will make the fight interesting (as long as it lasts) if he can get past Matt Hamill. Of course, just another wrinkle in the storylines, Hamill was the fight Jones was DQ'd in.
Henry Liu
Evans and Rampage has nothing on Jones. He is faster,bigger,stronger, and has way more dynamic striking then both of those guys combine. I would love nothing more then to see rampage knock Jones unconscious,but the fact is this kid is just too good. I think Machida is the only one that can give Jones trouble.
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