UFC commentator and former lightweight Paul Felder believes that former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ long-awaited heavyweight debut could see “Bones” more dangerous than ever before. Felder explained on The Fighter vs The Writer that a bigger, stronger Jon Jones is a terrifying prospect for any opponent
“I think as long as he uses what makes Jon Jones the superstar and the champion that he was — his fight IQ and figuring guys out and how to approach them — I think as long as he can do that, I think [heavyweight] might even be a little bit easier.
Paul Felder: Jon Jones Will Be Even Better at Heavyweight
Because at light heavyweight guys are a little bit faster, they’re not quite as big. If he gets these big lumbering guys and makes them miss, makes them make mistakes and uses his footwork, uses his angles, uses his takedowns, I mean he’s so good everywhere. He’s got great boxing, great elbows from distance. I think those are the things that he’s got to do.”
Felder also pointed out that, towards the end of his light heavyweight run, Jones looked “lackadaisical”, but with a fresh challenge, he may well return to the Octagon with renewed vigor.
“I don’t want to say he got lazy towards the end of his light heavyweight career but he had beaten everybody. I think he was getting a little lackadaisical in there.
When he makes his return at heavyweight, I think they’ll be a little bit more ‘I’m not f****** around here, this isn’t my 12th title defense, I need to go out there and get the job done.’ I think he’ll be looking to make a statement when he does come back.”
With Francis Ngannou’s departure from the UFC heralding Jones’ arrival in the heavyweight division, Paul Felder appreciates Jones’ willingness to answer the “what if” question of his prowess in a higher weight class.
“Let’s get you in there before we’re saying how good Jon Jones could’ve been at heavyweight if he hadn’t taken X amount of years off. I hate that this has taken this long.
If you’re going to fight let’s get your ass back in there, let’s get you a fight and I think he deserves — say what you want about the man and his personal drama and all that kind of stuff — but like you said, he’s one of the greatest fighters if not the greatest fighter ever.”
Is Paul Felder right about Jon Jones? Let us know in the comments.
