5 bad matchups for Jon Jones at heavyweight
Jon Jones has dominated the light heavyweight division since becoming the youngest UFC champion in 2011 and has created a legacy for himself. However, the only asterisk next to Jon Jones' legacy as a UFC legend is his controversial streak of failed drug tests. While Jones' issues outside the cage are worth discussing, they have no bearing on his merit as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport.
Due to his greatness inside the octagon, UFC fans have long hoped to see 'Bones' ascend from light heavyweight to the heavyweight division. Ever since his days as the UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones has teased the MMA world with a potential move to heavyweight.
Finally, the time has come where Jon Jones seems to have truly committed to plying his trade in the heavyweight division. After an uninspired decision victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, 'Bones' relinquished his title in favor of challenging himself against future heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Alas, disputes over fight purses with UFC President Dana White led to the matchup being scrapped.
Jon Jones spent the next two years in limbo, training and filling out his frame for a heavyweight debut he claimed was inevitable. However, having not fought in over two years while his last two wins evoke memories of contentious decisions rather than the brutal dominance he was once known for, this list details the strategic, tactical and physical reasons behind why five specific UFC heavyweights are bad matchups for the all-time MMA great.
It must be prefaced that this does not mean that the fighters discussed are likely to defeat Jones inside the octagon. These are just bad matchups due to their ability to present troubling variables that will make 'Bones' look mortal, even if he ultimately claims victory against them. With that said, these are five bad matchups for Jon Jones at heavyweight.
#5. Jon Jones vs. Alexander Volkov
To some, Alexander Volkov might seem like a poor choice for a bad matchup for Jon Jones, least of all given his struggles defending takedowns from the likes of Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes. However, Volkov's style of engagement and manner of takedown defense might trouble Jones more than fight fans might realize, especially considering that Jon Jones' had trouble taking down Thiago Santos, an opponent with even worse defensive wrestling than Volkov.
There is a reason behind why Jones had more success taking down Daniel Cormier, a highly credentialed wrestler when compared to Alexander Gustafsson. Jon Jones benefits tremendously from his length as it enables him to wrap his arms around his opponents' legs with great ease. Furthermore, even when his foes spread their legs apart to widen their base, his arms are long enough that he can hook his hands behind their thighs to complete a double-leg takedown.
Alexander Volkov is tied for the highest height-reach average among ranked #UFC heavyweights #UFCVegas30 fightforecast.substack.com/p/will-ciryl-g… https://t.co/CGm2UoDfVL
Cormier, like most of Jones' former foes, was much shorter than him. Gustafsson, however, was an inch taller, so when he widened his base, Jon Jones couldn't hook his hands behind his legs, exposing the gaps in the former champion's wrestling. Jones' most successful takedown against Gustafsson came in their rematch, but only after the Swede tore his groin.
Volkov always widens his base to defend against double-leg takedowns, and at 6'7" in height, he's two inches taller than the man Jones struggled to take down due to his length being nullified. Additionally, against Volkov, Jon Jones will not possess the reach advantage he typically enjoys against his foes. Volkov is three inches taller than 'Bones', cutting Jones' reach advantage down to 81.5 inches.