UFC Light Heavyweight bout: Ryan Bader vs. Jon Jones
Odds: (-340 Jones /+260 Bader )
Betting Pick: JONES
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In what promises to be one of the most competitive Light Heavyweight matchups in recent memory, top young prospect Ryan Bader and Jon “Bones” Jones will clash in a fight that has definite future title shot implications. These are two of the most athletic and promising up and coming Light Heavyweights, so this could be a fight for the ages.
Bader, a recent Ultimate Fighter winner, is one of the most promising reality show winners since the very early seasons. He has extremely dominant wrestling and a heavy-handed and effective striking game to go along with it. Bader likes to let his hands go, both standing and in top position, and he packs a lot of power both ways. This is a great fight for him in that Jones, while also a top Light Heavyweight, won’t have a substantial experience advantage over him.
Jon Jones is a freakishly talented prospect whose only loss as a professional came via DQ in a fight where he was annihilating Matt Hamill. Jones is one of the most offensively devastating fighters in the sport, with insane physical strength that he uses to ragdoll his opponents and lights-out punching power. Jones has not only handled every step up in competition extremely well, he has completely dominated everyone he has ever faced.
I think this is going to be a tough fight for Bader. Both guys have similar styles in that they have effective striking and wrestling, but Jones has a substantial reach advantage, more dynamic and powerful striking, and is probably the stronger of the two. I think Bader is going to find it impossible to impose his will on Jones, and is going to get bloodied up trying to force takedowns and eventually put away. Jones by T/KO.
Prediction: Jon “Bones” Jones via second round T/KO.
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