Jones has failed to finish 7 of his last 9 fights.
STILL hasn’t fought at HW.
There was a time when Jones was active and the HW division was relatively stacked.
Did Jones step up?
No.
Why??
Because he would likely lose.
He hasn’t really shown true big-time power with his hands, and when he doesn’t have a size advantage he’s not nearly as dominant as his initial run over the aging LHWs of the previous eras.
These days he’s riding his record and reputation due to long stretches of inactivity – while he talks shit to a once again ageing division where the majority of it’s killers have fallen off over the past few years.
He is doing EXACTLY what I predicted he would do years ago!
Waiting until the right moment to make his HW run.
Jones isn’t competition driven,he is legacy driven.
He is not a “fighter’s fighter”, and at this point in his career not remotely interested in facing the toughest challenges.
He’s not the GOAT – that title belongs to Fedor.
And I still think Stipe beats him… although Jones probably drags this out yet another year – waiting for just the right time.
I feel like Jones wins this fight pretty easy. Age is a major factor and the HW wars Stipe has been in. As you all know, damage adds up. This fight would have been great 5 years ago, but now, meh. Jones should be fighting Francis not Stipe. Or give him a “tune-up” fight against one of the other HWs.
And another thing - how many fighters have gone UP in weight class and been successful?
Jones was already showing signs of slowing down. He’s naturally gifted in terms of athleticism, but we know he hasn’t taken care of his body over the years with his rapant drug use.
It’ll be over 3 years since his last fight. He’s gotten older and put on a bunch of weight. You think he’s been working hard every day for 3 years. C’mon. His cardio will be shit and he’ll be extra risk-adverse.
Jones is not “far better” than DC.
Both fights were close, and one could argue DC had a slight edge in the second fight before the KO.
And Jones didn’t fight DC at HW, where most feel DC was better.
If Jones is so much better than everyone, then why didn’t he finish 7 of his last 9 fights?
And he STILL hasn’t fought at HW!
We all know Jones is good – but tone down the hyperbole a little.
