UFC 135 Recap - Bones About It

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Bones Jones certainly didn’t surprise regarding the outcome of his win against Rampage Jackson, nor in the time it took to finish the likeable Tennessee fighter, but one thing did stand out: a polishing of the rough diamond that is Bones.

Once again, Bones utilized his tremendous reach, throwing low kicks, high kicks and front kicks to the knees, stifling Rampage’s attacks. When ‘Page did get inside, though, Bones showed stellar ability to clinch his opponent, utilizing his amazing Greco-Roman skills to nullify Rampage’s aggression.

Bones was careful to respect Rampage’s wrestling and punching power, evident in his movement and honed tactics. As a result, while Rampage was not getting battered like Rua was in his devastating beating at the hands of Bones, he had no game. Not once was Bones in any kind of trouble from Rampage.

Another aspect of Bones’ training became apparent: his utter and complete balance when applying every technique, whether a head kick, leg kick, spinning back fist or take down attempt. Although Anderson Silva and GSP are technically better strikers, neither of them seem as completely centered as Bones is while applying any and all techniques.

If anyone doubted Jones, if anyone thought he hadn’t fought anyone, think again: he took Vera down when Couture couldn’t; he out-wrestled Bader, an ASU standout; He beat down Matyushenko, a fighter with a great record; he demolished one of the greatest 205 pound fighters ever in Rua; he stopped Rampage Jackson, a man who hadn’t been stopped yet in the UFC despite fighting many top contenders; Bones finishes with strikes, ground and pound and submissions.

Anderson Silva once said that he has the perfect build for MMA---long limbs and height relative to the rest of the division. So does Bones. All other things being equal, height and reach are advantages. With the 205 pound division full of talent, it’s my prediction that it will take a fighter with similar dimensions, one who isn’t out of range so much when Bones is in range, a fighter like 6’ 5” Alexander ‘The Mauler’ Gustafsson (12-1), who recently defeated Matt Hamill (TKO rd 2), James Te Huna (sub rd 1) and Cyrille Diabate (sub rd 2) after losing to Phil Davis via submission early in 2010.

Right now, though, Bones seems unbeatable. With all the best fighters and trainers picking apart the styles of champions, it’s going to be harder for belt holders to keep atop their divisions. Bones is one of the most gifted, intelligent and entertaining fighters right now, and that’s saying something in an age where MMA and the UFC are transforming from an age of fighters rooted in particular styles, to fighters coming up in pure MMA.

To check out Char Broiled, Renko’s thriller starring mixed martial artist and Afghan war vet Char Sadao as he infiltrates the Vancouver Gang wars, go to Xystermma.com

> Catch all of the official UFC 135 results online here at ProFighting-fans.com after the fights are complete!

By Renko Styranka
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer