The Fighting Thread

[Pinky]

It was a complicated match. Jones didn't look great, tbh. He was very anxious before the match, jumping around etc, and that was not smart given that they were fighting at high altitude. Plus his high energy style took its toll in the third round when he started striking in slow-motion.

I was expecting Jackson to get the KO in the fourth or fifth rounds once Jones slowed down. Jackson has a very compact, short-distance style. Jones exploited it by staying at range at all costs; he even turned and ran away a few times when Jackson got close. Jones criticized himself for that because it's a sign of weakness (called "timidity" in boxing, which you can get points deducted for). I've suspected that Jones is not good in an exchange, his striking style is for avoiding exchanges with disruptions, and this fight confirmed it.

What ended the fight was the kick that landed above Jackson's knee. It hyperextended his knee joint, and imo that was the end of the fight. He was fighting on one leg after that and it took away both his power and wrestling defense. (note how he was putting all his weight on his right leg during the final takedown) It was a perfect attack for Jones, but that kind of kick working like that depends on so many factors I don't think he'll be able to depend on it happening again: it's one of those attacks that's merely supposed to make the opponent step back from their attack.

As Jones fights more, more challengers will know more about him and make better plans. Jackson completely avoided Jones' spinning elbows, for instance. Next, I expect Rashad will also avoid his jumping back kicks. Also, Rashad is a former training partner and knows more about the champ than anybody else in the LHW division-- he was the one who challenged Jones, he was supposed to fight for the belt earlier until Jones pulled out for surgery on his finger(!). And I wouldn't discount Machida from being a serious threat, either.