Jon “Bones” Jones is too big and too skilled for Rashad Evans. His advantages may make this an easy fight that inspires the old Mortal Kombat phrase “Flawless Victory.”
This is not a slight towards Evans, he is a tremendous fighter—but he won’t be able to effectively deal with the five-inch height advantage.
Bones isn’t just big, he is an extremely skilled striker, with advanced submission, grappling and grappling defense. He’ll certainly need the latter against Evans.
Rashad is a world-class wrestler who has demonstrated the ability to take almost any opponent to the mat.
At 5’11”, he has no other choice than to use this approach against the 6’4″ Jones.
Though Evans is an elite wrestler, he has never faced an opponent with Jones’ set of physical and mental attributes. Bones is cerebral and he has done his homework on Evans.
He has shown great technique and lower body strength in the sprawl, as well as an ability to step through take down attempts.
Per UFC.com, Jones has avoided all of the previous takedown attempts on him.
He knows Evans will look to shoot the legs, but that’s exactly where things could get dangerous for Rashad.
Jones is nearly as deadly with his knees as he is with his elbows and fists. If he catches Evans with a knee as he goes for the legs, it could be the beginning of the end.
Evans’ chin has been suspect in past fights. He was knocked senseless by Lyoto Machida—whom Jones submitted in December—and he was hurt by Quinton Jackson before earning a decision victory.
Jones’ striking and takedown defense will be the story of this fight.
I predict a KO victory for Jones in the first round.
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