Fresh off an impressive performance against Lyoto Machida at UFC 140, Jon Jones’ reign isn’t going to be any easier as the UFC light heavyweight champion has two challengers waiting for him: Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson.
The bad blood involving Jones and Evans already has set the tone for an anticipated grudge match between the former teammates, however, there is arguably more intrigue that lies with Henderson.
Randy Couture, who is a good friend and longtime training partner of Henderson, said he is interested in a potential bout regarding the former PRIDE star and the 24-year-old Jones based on the styles they represent.
“At the ripe old age of 40 Danny is coming into his own. He’s firing on all cylinders right now,” Couture told ESPN.co.uk. “He’s got a tremendous wrestling background, he’s got one of the best right hands in the sport, it’d be interesting to see how he’d deal with Jon and how Jon would deal with him.”
Henderson’s current track record likely makes him more deserving than any other challenger at 205 pounds to contend for the title. His recent bout against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is widely considered one of the best fights of all-time and undoubtedly a lead candidate for Fight of the Year honors.
But Jones’ recent performances over the likes of Rua, Quintion “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida makes it hard to not consider him the best fighter in the light heavyweight division momentarily.
While most would argue that Jones’ overwhelming size and reach advantage would provide a lot of difficulty for the 41-year-old, Couture said Henderson’s style would test Jones’ chin and force him engage, cancelling out the reach advantage.
“I don’t see reach being a huge issue,” he said. “There’s going to have to be an engagement at some point in that cage and we’d get to see what type of punch Jon can take.”
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