Coming of Age

UFC 135 featured one of the sports iconic figures, Rampage Jackson facing off against the sports most talented fighter, possibly in the history of the sport, Jon Jones. It's easy to say that a 24 year old kid who has been participating in MMA for just 3 short years can't possibly be the greatest talent in the history of the sport. It's even easier to assume that Joe Rogan is out of his mind when he claims that this young stud has everything it takes to be the greatest of all time. But, if you have watched Jon Jones fight in the octagon, you may agree with everything Rogan and possibly think he's underestimating the situation.

Jones has an unorthodox style that many have never seen before. His size is truly incredible when you see him for the first time. 6 foot 4, 205 lbs and his reach advantage is incredible. He is an athletic specimen that the sport has never seen before and his unique ability has taken the sport by storm. This fight was supposed to be the fight that presented challenges Jones would be unable to overcome. Rampage is a legend in the sport, he's been around for many years and has a track record of knocking guys out with one punch. One punch power can be an advantage in this game or it can be a disadvantage. In this particular fight, it was a disadvantage and opened the door for Jones to utilize his skills to command respect from Rampage.

From the moment the fight started Jones was in control. He took advantage of his tremendous reach advantage from the get go and kept Rampage at a distance, preventing him from getting close enough to do damage. Rampage looked more and more frustrated each time he tried to unload with power punches. Jones used some of the craziest punch combos I have ever seen to push Rampage further and further away from him, all the while checking him with strong leg whips, which seemed to affect the balance and approach of his opponent. Joe Rogan mentioned multiple times that Rampage needed to use kicks more frequently to keep Jones away, but Rampage addressed that after the fight saying that it's not a smart game plan to kick at a top notch wrestler because all it takes is one irresponsible kick for Jones to take him to the ground and end the fight. Once Jones stopped toying with his opponent and decided it was time to hit the ground, Rampage was in trouble. Jones took him to the ground, pounded on him with hammer fists and short, strong elbow strikes and that's when Rampage lost the fight. Well before Jones choked him out, he was in control of the fight with his intensity, with his ability to control the tempo and force the fight to the ground.

This sport is unlike any other. Today's up and coming superstar can get beat tomorrow and never be heard from again. The sport is unlike boxing, which overpays it's superstars, coddles their egos and makes them into ego maniacs practically overnight. This is the toughest sport on the planet, loaded with athletes who can kick your ass and send you straight to the bottom. If you are a champion, you don't get to fight cupcakes just to make a bunch of money and then defend your belt at your convenience. If you are the champ, you will get the #1 contender within a few months of your last fight and that's how it goes, like it or not. That's what draws us in, that's what makes this the fastest growing sport in the world and that's what I love so much about the fight game.