In the past few days I looked back at the bouts that current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and title contender Lyoto Machida had fought against overlapping opponents. In a look at who had been more impressive in their fights against Stephan Bonnar, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Jones had arguably had the more impressive performance every time. These two will meet for the first time tonight, and many people are saying that Machida is the last UFC light heavyweight currently competing who has even a chance of beating the seemingly unstoppable Jones. This would certainly seem the case, and Machida is a fighter who would know a lot about being considered unbeatable, as he was for several years before sustaining two losses in a row against Shogun Rua and Rampage Jackson.
Below is the weigh in: Skip to about 14:00 to see the beginning.
Machida proved beatable in the end however, and so far Jones hasn’t. And while Machida’s last victory was an amazing KO through jumping crane kick to UFC legend Randy Couture, Couture was 47 at the time, so this might not quite stand up to some of his victories in the past. Jon Jones is currently exactly half Randy Couture’s age, and Machida had best prepare himself for speed and endurance far out lapping Couture’s. Jon Jones has had many doubters on his rapid rise, and plenty of people want to see him beaten, but I don’t think that Machida is the one to do it. The styles of Machida and Jones have been measured up against each other again and again in recent months, and there just seems that bar another Karate Kid style moment, there is very little that Machida can do to earn the win.
While Machida will still be a light heavyweight to be reckoned with whether he wins or loses, I have to give the win to Jones here, probably through TKO in the third round, similar to the Shogun bout.
Prediction: Jon Jones by TKO
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