After last night’s fight between Rampage and Jones, I am sure there is a certain expectation that I write something in praise of Jon Jones as the future of MMA; I am taking a different path.
I suppose what I was thinking after watching the fight last night was whether or not Rampage is still relevant? I think he is, and has been, one of the most exciting fighters to watch in the past; but, his style is starting to remind me of a late Chuck Liddell. Rampage still seems to abandoning the few BIG tools in his arsenal to rely on just one – his KO power. It’s a good tool, and something he has honed very well – but, you can’t always chop a tree down with just a saw.
Rampage may not have always won while in PRIDE, but he used a mixed bag of tricks to win his fights – kicks, punches, slams, ground and pound. All I see now is someone swinging for the fences – going for that flashy knockout.
One thing I will give him credit for, is that his defence didn’t look too bad until he was submitted. Good takedown defence, good head movement, he was getting up off the ground quick. It looks like the guy did legitimately prepare for the challenges that Jon Jones presented. That said, he offensive preparation seemed a little poorly planned.
I truly believe that if Rampage wants to keep his place in the UFC today, he needs to start opening his eyes to other aspects of the game. (Maybe he has and we just don’t know it – he did say after the fight that he didn’t follow the game plan?) With guys like Rashad, Rua, even Henderson, sitting next in line it’s hard to ignore the common theme between each of them – all three are solid on the feet and the ground, and have adjusted their game accordingly over the year.
Now some other notes from last night:
- That was the best Nate Diaz I have ever seen – I was extremely impressed. Gomi is no can or stepping stone; he is a legit fighter with skill – and Nate made him look like an amateur.
- Travis Browne is a brute and that’s it. I know he won his fight, but I don’t see this guy as ever being legit.
- Is Mark Hunt making a comeback? He did tear Rothwell apart, but he really should’ve finished him. I think this has been a nice little string of wins for Hunt, but I do believe his swing song is coming. He doesn’t stand much of a chance agains the elite of the division.
- Hughes should retire.
- Jon Jones is the man.
