Jon Jones Makes His Mark on the UFC and Shogun Rua’s Face
Shogun Rua puts his UFC Picks Light Heavyweight Title on the line in the Main Event of UFC 128 on Saturday night. Thanks to a knee injury to Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson’s inability to stay away from the Supersize Meal Combo, Jon Jones, just six weeks after his last victory will get an improbable shot at UFC Gold.
UFC 128 – Rua vs. Jones
Date: Saturday, March 19, 2011
Venue: The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
Broadcast: Live on PPV at 10:00 p.m. E.T.
Shogun Rua (19-4):
Jon Jones (12-1):
Shogun Rua defends his Light Heavyweight belt for the first time in his return after nearly a year away from the Octagon – time he took to recover from yet another knee injury. Rua is known as one of the most dominant strikers that MMA has ever seen. He trains out of the Chute Box Academy which means aggression and varied, unpredictable striking is a huge part of his game. Rua is 3-2 in his UFC career since coming over from his dominant stint in PRIDE, although some would argue that he really won the first fight between himself and Lyoto Machida.
Not only does Rua have the best striking in the UFC today but he also brings underrated jiu-jitsu, good wrestling and most of all, experience and smarts into the Octagon. He will use fists, knees, elbows and a downright scary clinch to soften up his opponents. He also demonstrates good submission and takedown defense – something that will come in very handy against the likes of Jon Jones.
Jon Jones is a UFC Picks beast who has not only won 12 fights in his career but who has completely dominated his opponents inside the Octagon. His only loss – a disqualification in a fight that he was in control of. Although he has been dominant already against such opponents as Brandon Vera, Matt Hamill and Vladimir Matyushenko, Jones and the Jackson Submission Fighting Camp have not allowed Jones to settle into any sort of rut – Jones is constantly evolving and adding new aspects to his already well rounded game. The result – a Title Shot early in what is sure to be a storied career.
Jones possesses a good wrestling background, decent jiu-jitsu, unorthodox and unpredictable takedowns and a wicked and diverse striking ability. He is arguably the most athletic Light Heavyweight in the UFC with speed to burn, super-human strength and the footwork of a Lightweight. He has top notch Muay Thai and cinder blocks for hands. Jones is an absolute force anywhere that this fight threatens to go.
Saturday night’s fight represents a huge step up in competition for Jones. He has not been challenged in his career so far – something that will definitely change in New Jersey. Rua is a tremendous challenge but Jones appears to be ready!
Jon Jones is as natural a fighter as there is in the UFC today. Not only does he have fluid movement and scary skills but he has the size and reach unlike any other Light Heavyweight out there. He is a true specimen! He will also have the added benefit of training with a superb team that was already preparing one of its fighters to face Shogun – Jones’s team mate Rashad Evans should be a huge benefit to Jones.
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