Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Jon Jones at UFC 128 - Hansen, Marsh, Hobaugh, Hyden, Perez, Williams and Pelkey
Mar 18, 2011 - 9:30:59 PM ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Jon Jones at UFC 128 - Hansen, Marsh, Hobaugh, Hyden, Perez, Williams and Pelkey

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Who are you picking to win the UFC 128 main event between Jon Jones and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and why?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I've got Jones beating Shogun, and I don't feel very strong about the pick.  But the way I see it, since I wavered on the first question of this batch of roundtable questions, I had better pick *somebody* to answer this question.  I think Shogun is by far the best fighter Jones has ever faced, but ultimately I fear that some of his athleticism and explosiveness is gone due to the multiple knee injuries he has suffered, and he won't be able to stop Jones.

GRIFFIN MARSH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Jon Jones 100%.  I even have been ranking him as the number one light heavyweight in the world. I know he doesn't have the 'stats' to make that claim, I just feel he's the best fighter in the light heavyweight division who consistantly competes in the division.  I see this as a second round kayo for Bones.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Shogun is too much too soon for Jon Jones. I have never picked against Jones. I got on his bandwagon after he dominated Stephan Bonnar in February 2009. He is the future of the Light Heavyweight division in 2012. Not in 2011. I think Shogun takes Jones into the late rounds and finishes him on the ground with a submission.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Jon Jones wins an explosive fight. He's one of the most dynamic strikers in MMA and he's on an incredible roll. Shogun is a tough opponent, for sure, but Jones is on a gold rush and I think he knocks out Shogun. I wouldn't be surprised if the opposite happens, and Shogun knocks out Jones, but I just think Jones is the real deal. It's going to be an awesome fight. I just don't know if Shogun is back to his old form or not. I'm expecting a highlight-reel finish here. 

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

It is a hard choice to pick a favorite here in the fight between Jones and Shogun.  When it was originally scheduled to be Rashad Evans and Shogun Rua, I fully believed that Shogun had the advantage over Evans.  With Evans out, and Jon Jones in, I think it makes the champion feel the pressure more, as Shogun is seemingly an underdog coming into this fight.  Jones has all the tools, and advantages, to take Shogun out.  That being said, Shogun still has experience and the same necessary tools to defeat Jones himself.  Though many will disagree, I feel this fight is a lot more evenly matched than it looks.  Though the easy way would be to not pick a winner since I feel they are evenly matched (or at least, nullify each other), I pick Jon Jones to win.

ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I'm favoring Jon Jones to defeat "Shogun."  It's interesting because five or six years ago, when Shogun won the 2005 Pride Grand Prix, it looked like these were going to be "his years" to be the top fighter at 205 pounds.  Instead, after reclaiming that mantel with his knock out of Lyoto Machida, he may lose that status in his first title defense.  I think Jones wrestling will make the difference and will allow him to control where the bout takes place en route to a decision victory.

MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

With much trepidation, I'll take Jonny "Bones" Jones. Its not that I'm not fully on board Bones hype train, I just feel like there's so much we've yet to see from him that plays right into Shogun's hands. What happens when Jones finally gets clipped with a big punch? What happens if he messes around in Shogun's guard and gets one of his arms snatched like he should have against Brandon Vera? What happens when he gets swept by a good grappler and has to fight off his back for the first time? How does he react if Shogun batters his body and legs with kicks standing and knees in the clinch? The fact is this is a huge step up in competition from anything Jon Jones has ever faced. And not to go all Joe-Rogan-cliche, but if you were to put together the perfect challenge for Jon Jones, it would be Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Well, either that or Jones will go through Rua like a hot knife through butter just as he has every other opponent. Jones by 2nd round tko.