Jon Jones, former pound for pound #1 and ex-UFC light-heavyweight champion, is largely considered one of the most dynamic fighters in the game. The JacksonWink representative has used spinning elbows, unorthodox throws and aggressive choke holds to finish 15 of his opponents, but his last three fights have gone to decision.
‘Bones’ engaged in a five-round “Fight of the Year” with Alexander Gustafsson in 2013, and went the distance with Glover Texeira and current 205 lbs. champ, Daniel Cormier.
UFC legend Chuck Liddell isn’t impressed. The Hall of Fame inductee and former LHW kingpin spoke to Snoop Dogg yesterday, and claimed Jones has a similar ‘safe’ fighting style to Georges St-Pierre.
“He fights too safe,” Liddell said of Jones. “Here’s the problem. Like GSP [Georges St-Pierre]. I love GSP. He’s a great fighter. He makes some really good guys look stupid, but he doesn’t try to finish fights. He likes to go out, beat you, follow the game plan, make sure he wins the fight.”
Despite GSP’s five-year reign of dominance in the welterweight fold, many pundits criticized the Canadian for his conservative fighting style – 8 of his 9 title defenses went to decision.
“The Iceman” respects GSP’s and Jon Jones’ ability to execute a gameplan, but doesn’t feel their strategy excites the fans.
“I understand that from a manager or coach’s standpoint, but from a fan’s standpoint? I don’t want to watch it. I don’t want you to go out and do just enough to win. I don’t mind if you win by decision but I just want you to try to finish him. Go after him. Try to hurt him.”
Liddell, who now serves as VP of Business Development within the UFC, believes that fighters don’t pursue the finish enough because they want to secure a winning pay check.
“I see guys hurt guys real bad and then just sit there and watch them,” said Liddell. “What are you doing? He’s a punch away from going out. From the sidelines I can actually see his eyes. Some of these guys, what they want is to be safe and win the fight. There’s a lot of money involved now.
“There’s always a chance when you go all-out that you get caught and make a mistake. As a fan, that’s what I like to see. I want to see guys get after it.”
Jon Jones recently plead guilty to the hit-and-run incident he was involved in and was sentenced to 18 months probation. Dana White has promised that the former champion will be granted with an immediate title shot upon his return.
(Transcription via MMA Fighting)
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