UFC fans should see one of the best fights in recent memory when Jon Jones (17-1-0) and Chael Sonnen (28-12-1) step into the ring for the UFC 159 main event with the light heavyweight championship title on the line, but they shouldn’t expect to see an upset on Apr. 27.
Despite the friendly relationship between the two fighters, I’m expecting these two to really get after each other at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., with Bones Jones doing much of the damage.
This is a matchup that’s been in the making for a while, as the two could have fought back in August 2012. Sonnen was slated to replace Dan Henderson as Jones’ opponent, but Jones refused and UFC president Dana White was forced to cancel an event for the first time ever.
Now that this fight is going to happen, I think Jones gets the ultimate edge heading into the main event because of his size and length.
Both fighters possess excellent wrestling backgrounds, and while I may be inclined to give the wrestling edge to Sonnen, Jones has more skill to win the fight. Where I really see this fight being won is in the stand-up game, where Jones can be extremely deadly with kicks and takedowns.
Sonnen‘s stand-up game is just average, and if he’s too aggressive against Jones, he could leave himself open to a swift kick to the face and a loss against Jones.
All signs point to Jones coming out of this fight with the win, but that’s not to say Sonnen doesn’t have a chance. The best way for Sonnen to come out of the Prudential Center with a win on Saturday night is to keep this fight on the ground.
Jones owns great skills on the ground, but Sonnen‘s ability to land striking blows on the ground and constantly own the position battle are what make him one of the best wrestlers in the UFC.
While I do see Sonnen as a worthy opponent to take on Jones, he won’t be the next owner of the light heavyweight championship title.
I think Jones keeps the pace quick in the fight and closes in on Sonnen to earn a win by submission and retain his title.
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