Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Will Anthony Johnson dethrone long-reigning UFC Champ Jon Jones?
Jan 27, 2015 - 1:15:19 PM ROUNDTABLE: Will Anthony Johnson dethrone long-reigning UFC Champ Jon Jones?

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Given how UFC on Fox 14 played out, how do you think Anthony "Rumble" Johnson stacks up against Jon Jones? Do you think he'll dethrone the long-reigning Champ? Why or why not?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Take Dan Henderson, make him bigger, stronger, faster, and quicker. Increase his reach by six inches, give him back his chin, and add fantastic kicks to his game. That's Anthony Johnson, circa 2015. Remember a mere year and a half ago when some people were convinced that Dan Henderson's KO power would prove to be Jon Jones' downfall? While it was ridiculous then (even before the benefit of hindsight) to believe Dan Henderson could be the guy to do anything to Jon Jones, Anthony Johnson very well could possess the right mix of athleticism, length, and power to be the first non-referee to defeat Jon Jones. Johnson, not Alexander Gustafsson, will prove to be the toughest challenge of Jones' LHW reign of terror. Unlike Daniel Cormier earlier this month, Johnson has the physical gifts to get inside on Jon Jones. And he's got the massive uppercut power to force Jones to play defensively when Johnson does get inside. It wouldn't surprise me all that much if Johnson gets inside and finishes Jones, via an uppercut leading to a ground and pound finish. I'm not predicting it yet, but amazingly this might be the call I stand by when this fight is imminent.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I don't think I can pick against Jones, given what he's done, but Rumble is the biggest challenge of his career without question. The power he has is unreal. I can easily see either guy knock out the other. I'll go with Jones right now, but that might be overcompensating because I don't want to get caught up in the moment. What Rumble did to Alexander Gustafsson was crazy, he made him look like he was average. A large part of me wants to go with the upset, but I'll go with Jones to retain right now.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

The notion of someone beating Jon Jones is hard to accept at this point with him having upended literally every challenger, and making them look silly in the process. He beats them at their own game, picks them apart mentally until they break, and then he does more damage just as icing on the cake. Thus far I have been a constant non believer in Jones ability to build a legacy but he's made me look foolish at every step. Rumble Johnson is a big and dangerous test but whether he can beat Jon Jones I don't know. Did Rumble get lucky against Gustafsson? Is he really an elite fighter? These are questions we will get the answers to when he fights Jones. But because we do not presently know for sure the answer to those I have to say Rumble had as good a chance as anyone else has... and that's slim to none thus far.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

If he can be extremely aggressive and land some shots early, he has a shot. It will be more important than ever for Jones to use his reach and length to keep the fight in his comfort zone. I think Jon will win, but it will be one of his toughest fights.


ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

Anthony "Rumble" Johnson is an excellent match up for Jon. He can win. He is not tied up in the fight emotionally. He has made his comeback complete, and he decimated the last person to make Jones struggle (depending on how you view the Cormier fight). Johnson is strong, a complete fighter, durable, and he is not caught up in who Jon Jones is. That is the key. He is aware, but not in awe. He also generates so much power the clinch game might not be a one sided Jones affair as it often is. I think he takes the belt because he is going in with the right set of tools and the right mentality.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

Now Johnson has found his home at 205 lbs. he is looking the complete fighter. I thought he had a chance against Gustafsson if he could press the action and catch him early, and that's exactly what he did. Once he caught Gustafsson he didn't let up at all until Marc Goddard had no choice but to stop the fight two minutes into the first round.

I really like the match up with Jon Jones, and he has the style and power to give the champion many problems, though defeating him might be a step too far. Jones has shown many times over he has all the tools in his armoury to defeat any fighter with any styles, be it a wrestler like Cormier, a puncher like Belfort, or a well rounded fighter like Alexander Gustafsson.

My thoughts on the fight are Jon Jones will come in with the game plan Gustafsson didn't; he won't be looking to engage in a tear up early on, and instead will likely try to keep the fight at range using the jab, leg kicks, and elbows, tiring Johnson out with thoughts on a late stoppage or a decision win. I fully expect Johnson to come in with the same mindset as he did against Gustafsson, to catch him early, and to get the job done within the first couple of rounds where he will be the most dangerous.