Every comment I see from Ariel about Jon is insane. After Stipe won, Ariel was posting about how Reyes deserves the rematch, it’s the right fight to make…and after Jon gave up the belt, he’s questioning whether or not Jon should fight for the belt in his first fight at HWT, or if he should fight a contender first.
Are you fucking serious, Ariel? He won the LHWT title 9 years ago, never lost it in the cage, won 13 title fights (12 if we don’t count the DC KO), has 3 successful defenses in the last 18 months…and you’re talking about “IF” he should fight for the belt? Fuck out of here.
DC has 5 wins in title fights ever at 205, and he got kicked in the head and KO’d a year before moving up to HWT for an immediate title shot. Dominick Cruz got a title fight coming off a loss, and hadn’t won in 4 years. Jose Aldo was coming off 2 consecutive losses…there are many more examples of former champions who changed weight classes and got a title shot.
WTF makes you question whether or not Jones should fight for the belt right away? Stipe vs Francis is next, Jon fights the winner. He wants time to bulk up anyway. You worried about him cutting Curtis Blaydes or Derrik Lewis?
On paper, I agree, but if judges didn’t absolutely suck at their jobs, Jones wouldn’t have had a belt to relinquish.
At the least, I think most pundits have that thought in the back of their mind. That’s not to mention Jones’ numerous other indiscretions, drug test failures, etc., which tend to lead people away from seeing him as a GOAT and more so as a lying, conniving, cheat.
Ministry of Truth - On paper, I agree, but if judges didn't absolutely suck at their jobs, Jones wouldn't have had a belt to relinquish.
At the least, I think most pundits have that thought in the back of their mind. That’s not to mention Jones’ numerous other indiscretions, drug test failures, etc., which tend to lead people away from seeing him as a GOAT and more so as a lying, conniving, cheat.
The fight wasn't nearly as clean cut as some want us to believe. Jones vs Reyes was extremely close, and had a similar split in terms of how many media members thought he won it as Max and volkanovski 2...meaning, the same amount of people had Jones winning as they had Volk winning...and I don't think there's this huge group of people walking around acting like Volk shouldn't be champ right now.
But even if you're right and Jones just lost a close decision to Reyes...Aldo lost 2 in a row, then fought for the title, Cruz was coming off a loss and hadn't won in 4 years. We've seen many other examples where former champs changed weight and got title shots even though they hadn't won there yet.
To act like Jones is the guy we're going to say has to win at heavyweight to earn the title shot is fucking stupid.
Jon Jones is a prick so I’m betting he was a prick to Ariel and Ariel holds a grudge. Jones is also a cheater so making the argument that he deserves anything is bullshit. He juiced and is king of the eye gouge.
HYBRID JON - Very valid and well thought out points Rick. However, I believe it just comes down people not liking Jones because hes a straight up piece of shit.
And if that's the case, guys should just say that. It's dumb when they try to act like guys should be jumping into the weight and getting a win or two to really "earn" the title shot, when that's not how it works...that's not ever how it's worked. Friggin Garbrandt is another example...lost 3 in a row, wins one, title shot.
Rickmassmma - Every comment I see from Ariel about Jon is insane. After Stipe won, Ariel was posting about how Reyes deserves the rematch, it's the right fight to make...and after Jon gave up the belt, he's questioning whether or not Jon should fight for the belt in his first fight at HWT, or if he should fight a contender first.
Are you fucking serious, Ariel? He won the LHWT title 9 years ago, never lost it in the cage, won 13 title fights (12 if we don’t count the DC KO), has 3 successful defenses in the last 18 months…and you’re talking about “IF” he should fight for the belt? Fuck out of here.
DC has 5 wins in title fights ever at 205, and he got kicked in the head and KO’d a year before moving up to HWT for an immediate title shot. Dominick Cruz got a title fight coming off a loss, and hadn’t won in 4 years. Jose Aldo was coming off 2 consecutive losses…there are many more examples of former champions who changed weight classes and got a title shot.
WTF makes you question whether or not Jones should fight for the belt right away? Stipe vs Francis is next, Jon fights the winner. He wants time to bulk up anyway. You worried about him cutting Curtis Blaydes or Derrik Lewis?
HYBRID JON - Very valid and well thought out points Rick. However, I believe it just comes down people not liking Jones because hes a straight up piece of shit.
And if that's the case, guys should just say that. It's dumb when they try to act like guys should be jumping into the weight and getting a win or two to really "earn" the title shot, when that's not how it works...that's not ever how it's worked. Friggin Garbrandt is another example...lost 3 in a row, wins one, title shot.
Take Jones's cock out of your mouth and reevaluate. Yes we hate the guy...because he's a walking pile of shit.
Ministry of Truth - On paper, I agree, but if judges didn't absolutely suck at their jobs, Jones wouldn't have had a belt to relinquish.
At the least, I think most pundits have that thought in the back of their mind. That’s not to mention Jones’ numerous other indiscretions, drug test failures, etc., which tend to lead people away from seeing him as a GOAT and more so as a lying, conniving, cheat.
The fight wasn't nearly as clean cut as some want us to believe. Jones vs Reyes was extremely close, and had a similar split in terms of how many media members thought he won it as Max and volkanovski 2...meaning, the same amount of people had Jones winning as they had Volk winning...and I don't think there's this huge group of people walking around acting like Volk shouldn't be champ right now.
But even if you're right and Jones just lost a close decision to Reyes...Aldo lost 2 in a row, then fought for the title, Cruz was coming off a loss and hadn't won in 4 years. We've seen many other examples where former champs changed weight and got title shots even though they hadn't won there yet.
To act like Jones is the guy we're going to say has to win at heavyweight to earn the title shot is fucking stupid.
14 out of 20 MMA media outlets scored Jones vs Reyes for Reyes. That’s not a split. I didn’t find the fight “extremely close”, either.
I’m sure you know MMA isn’t just about wins and losses, especially when it comes to the UFC and its marketing. Comparing Jones to Aldo or even Cruz in that regard is a losing proposition. I needn’t say more.
I really don’t see a big deal if Jones gets an immediate title shot or he fights someone else first. I think when a current champ moves to a new weight that should warrant an immediate shot, but I also know what works in a practical sense isn’t always what works in a business sense.
HYBRID JON - Very valid and well thought out points Rick. However, I believe it just comes down people not liking Jones because hes a straight up piece of shit.
Very key post and I touched on this in my first response as well.
Jones is likely the most disliked champion in UFC history. And not in a “good for ratings heel” sort of way, but rather in a “I don’t care to see him fight” sort of way. That’s not good for Jones, or for business at all. I believe this is exactly why Jon has tried hard recently to change this, by “helping” the homeless, and taking spray cans away from awe-struck teenagers; all while the cameras just happened to be there.
HYBRID JON - Very valid and well thought out points Rick. However, I believe it just comes down people not liking Jones because hes a straight up piece of shit.
Very key post and I touched on this in my first response as well.
Jones is likely the most disliked champion in UFC history. And not in a “good for ratings heel” sort of way, but rather in a “I don’t care to see him fight” sort of way. That’s not good for Jones, or for business at all. I believe this is exactly why Jon has tried hard recently to change this, by “helping” the homeless, and taking spray cans away from awe-struck teenagers; all while the cameras just happened to be there.
This. His talent is 2nd to none, but as a person he is hot garbage.
I want to see him fight Lewis or Ngannou or some scary bastard like that before he gets a shot at Stipe. I don’t care what he deserves.
I am no Ariel fan but I actually agree with him on both counts. Reyes DID/does deserve a rematch for the title. IMO Jon vacated it so he didnt have to rematch Reyes and possibly lose leverage for big $$ at HW.
I also agree that he shouldnt jump over Francis and if he is serious about competing at HW then taking a contender fight should be no issue for Jon. Hell, put him against rumble for his first fight at HW, or Black Beast.
HYBRID JON - Very valid and well thought out points Rick. However, I believe it just comes down people not liking Jones because hes a straight up piece of shit.
Jon Jones is a prick so I’m betting he was a prick to Ariel and Ariel holds a grudge. Jones is also a cheater so making the argument that he deserves anything is bullshit. He juiced and is king of the eye gouge.
HYBRID JON - Very valid and well thought out points Rick. However, I believe it just comes down people not liking Jones because hes a straight up piece of shit.
Very key post and I touched on this in my first response as well.
Jones is likely the most disliked champion in UFC history. And not in a “good for ratings heel” sort of way, but rather in a “I don’t care to see him fight” sort of way. That’s not good for Jones, or for business at all. I believe this is exactly why Jon has tried hard recently to change this, by “helping” the homeless, and taking spray cans away from awe-struck teenagers; all while the cameras just happened to be there.
Since when do people not care to see him fight? Outside of the top 3-4 current draws, he pulls the best numbers consistently and it’s not even close. He’s always sold more PPV’s than most UFC champions, but not as many as the guys drawing 1m+.