UFC
UFC 151: Dan Henderson not sure if Champ Jon Jones can take a punch
Jul 9, 2012 - 10:20:11 AM UFC 151: Dan Henderson not sure if Champ Jon Jones can take a punch

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"For some reason, a lot of fans don't like him and they're just wanting him to lose. I'll gladly step in and fill that role for them. Overall, what you want to do with almost anybody [is close the distance] unless you want to stay outside, but for me that's pretty much what I like to do and I just have to make sure that I'm able to do it against Jon Jones and his reach. I don't know [if he can take a punch]. Hopefully he'll take a few."

-Dan Henderson talks to MMAHeat.com about his upcoming fight with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones at UFC 151 (transcribed by BloodyElbow.com).

Penick's Analysis: We've seen Jones take a few punches and continue on. He took a few good shots from Lyoto Machida last December, and Rashad Evans hit him a bit himself. Neither fighter caught him with the type of shot Henderson will be looking to land, but we do know that Jones can take a punch alright. Henderson's biggest issue is definitely going to be closing the distance. Not only does Jones have the longest reach in the UFC, he knows how to use it. He's very good at judging distance and keeping opponents at bay, and knowing that Henderson will be looking for that, Jones is likely game planning to keep himself out of a situation where he takes that big shot. But that's why the fights happen, and he'll have to actually accomplish that goal come September 1.

[Dan Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]