CPT wrote:That was a legit mark out moment, which is rare in the UFC, at least as far as things not happening in an actual fight.
Good job of keeping the Rashad injury under wraps and making this a great surprise.
Wonder what happens with the rest of the contenders now. I thought the plan was to give Rampage the title shot if he beat Thiago Silva. Then maybe have the Griffin/Franklin and Jones/Bader winners square off for the next shot.
Now Jones has (deservedly) jumped the line, and I wonder if we might get a Rampage vs. Griffin rematch for a title shot? That kind of leaves Rashad out in the cold though, without any real contenders to fight to keep busy.
Jon Jones did not deserve the title shot. He did less to earn a title shot than Cain Velesquez (who basically beat up fringe contenders and faded veterans) but at least Cain had the excuse of fighting in a division that is so mediocre the champ had less than 10 fights. Jon Jones fights in the most stacked weight class of any weight class in any MMA Promotion. He just beat his first top 10 opponent. I really think he should be forced to fight someone like Forrest Griffin b4 getting a title shot. Instead they could have given the title shot to Randy Couture (he hasn't done much lately at light heavyweight either but he is a former champion and a legend in the sport) or Quentin Rampage Jackson (whose already familiar with Rua after having fought him previously). I don't know. I just don't think Jones has done enough to warrant a title shot even after beating Bader. Bader is a really good fighter but he's basically a upgraded Matt Hamil. He has many of the same strengths (strong, very good wrestler, heavy hitter) with the same disadvantages (more of a heavy hitter than a really educated striker and no where near fast, explosive or athletic enough to keep up with Jones).
In any case, despite the fact that he doesn't deserve the shot yet I actually think Jones has a good chance again Rua. He's an incredible athlete and is a freakish size for his division. What Jones is to the MMA light heavyweight division Paul Williams was to boxing Welterweight division. I think he's a bad matchup for even the best light heavyweights. But while he is a better athlete than Rashard Evans, Evans is still a very athletic and quick wrestler so Rua will be somewhat prepared. He's also forgotten more about striking than Jones has learned yet. Plus he's quicker and represents a skill set (top notch Muay Thai and BJJ) that Jones has never fought b4. Its a really interesting bout. I have to favor Shogun but Jones is a very live underdog. If anyone can pull off an upset so early in his career its Jon Jones.
