Jon Jones has proven himself over some top competition.
Mamed Khalidov has not seen the top flight competition that Jones has even though he has far more experience. Big wins over soft competition, (Daniel Acacio, Jason Guida) do not compare.
Jones has a ton of potential, that is what is so exciting about him. He has great genetics (look up his brothers if you want) and is a phenomenal athlete. He has a great background in Greco-Roman and he is very inventive in his striking. That said, I think people are making too big a deal over him. Right now he is very inexperienced and has a ton to learn about overall MMA. In the UFC debut he beat Andre Gusmao (who has even less pro fights than Jones) with a decision. Now, it was his UFC debut which is very hard to get accustomed to fighting on that stage in front of so many people, but it was Gusmao's debut also. Gusmao lost his next fight against K-Sos and I think is cut from the UFC. His next fight he was impressive in beating a veteran (although not elite level fighter) in Stephan Bonnar. Still, he failed finish Bonnar when he had him seriously hurt several times in the fight, most notably with the spinning back elbow. Finally, his last fight (which I have not seen yet, so maybe I need to) he won against an opponent he was supposed to beat.
Again, he has tremendous potential and is only freaking 21! Even so, I believe any of the top LHW and even some top level MW would beat him pretty soundly. We have not yet seen how he reacts to adversity in the cage because he has not really been tested in his weak points yet. Also he could let the rock-star lifestyle take over and degrade his abilities, or worse suffer a career altering injury. I think Jones has what it takes to be a great LHW but that is still a few years away.
Jones is too good, too much potential. I don't like using the "future of X" phrase very often because it loses its effect, but Jones is the future of the UFC Light Heavyweight or Middleweight division if he decides to move down. Khalidov won't last 2 rounds.
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Has Mamed signed with UFC?
Jon Jones has proven himself over some top competition.
Mamed Khalidov has not seen the top flight competition that Jones has even though he has far more experience. Big wins over soft competition, (Daniel Acacio, Jason Guida) do not compare.
Jones has a ton of potential, that is what is so exciting about him. He has great genetics (look up his brothers if you want) and is a phenomenal athlete. He has a great background in Greco-Roman and he is very inventive in his striking. That said, I think people are making too big a deal over him. Right now he is very inexperienced and has a ton to learn about overall MMA. In the UFC debut he beat Andre Gusmao (who has even less pro fights than Jones) with a decision. Now, it was his UFC debut which is very hard to get accustomed to fighting on that stage in front of so many people, but it was Gusmao's debut also. Gusmao lost his next fight against K-Sos and I think is cut from the UFC. His next fight he was impressive in beating a veteran (although not elite level fighter) in Stephan Bonnar. Still, he failed finish Bonnar when he had him seriously hurt several times in the fight, most notably with the spinning back elbow. Finally, his last fight (which I have not seen yet, so maybe I need to) he won against an opponent he was supposed to beat.
Again, he has tremendous potential and is only freaking 21! Even so, I believe any of the top LHW and even some top level MW would beat him pretty soundly. We have not yet seen how he reacts to adversity in the cage because he has not really been tested in his weak points yet. Also he could let the rock-star lifestyle take over and degrade his abilities, or worse suffer a career altering injury. I think Jones has what it takes to be a great LHW but that is still a few years away.
Hm. Honestly, I'd still have to go with Jon Jones. Some Youtube footage is impressive, but Jones is pretty decent.
Jon Jones is a future champ. He's fast paced and relentless. I don't see Mamed beating him.
Jones is too good, too much potential. I don't like using the "future of X" phrase very often because it loses its effect, but Jones is the future of the UFC Light Heavyweight or Middleweight division if he decides to move down. Khalidov won't last 2 rounds.