Jon Jones will enter UFC 247 in a very similar situation he has been in many times in his career. Jone’s is the champion and just about any opponent he has faced has been a heavy underdog. Arguably, the toughest battle Jon Jones has faced in his career was against Daniel Cormier and Alexander Gustafsson who he has defeated twice each.
Dominick Reyes has been on a tear in the UFC since he entered the promotion in 2017. He has reeled off victories over well established light heavyweight contenders Ovince Saint Preux, Volkan Oezdemir and most recently Chris Weidman. Jones will enter the fight a heavy betting favorite but Joe Rogan believes that this fight is closer than people realize.
Speaking this week on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast, Joe Rogan believes Reyes presents a serious threat to Jones, similar to Daniel Cormier and Alexander Gustafsson.
“I believe that Dominick Reyes is the most dangerous fighter that Jon Jones has faced since Daniel Cormier. He will present a unique set of challenges. He is lengthy and undefeated with plenty of confidence. He’s a believer in himself and that belief in himself that has led him to stop the likes of Chris Weidman and Ovince Saint Preux. He has 1 punch knockout power.”
Jon Jones’s first battle with Gustaffson at UFC 165 was back and forth brawl which Jones narrowly secured victory after a dominant 5th. Post-fight Jones admitted he wasn’t focused. He was partying too much. Jones vs Gustafsson 2 at UFC 232 ended with Jones finishing Gustafsson via TKO.
Rogan believes that Dominick Reyes is the threat that Jon Jones needs to bring the best out in him.
“I think Jon knows this is a difficult fight for Jon. Jon is a champion, a real champion. The greatest champion the light heavyweight division has ever known unquestionably. I think he’s going to rise to the occasion. We are going to see the best Jon Jones. I think he needs a real threat to scare him and work him up.”
Jone’s last title defense against Thiago Santos at UFC 239 was one of the worst performances from the champion. Although his hand was raised many critics questioned Jones’s style of fighting. He was reluctant to attack and happy to prolong the fight all 5 rounds which ended up in a narrow split-decision victory. Jon ‘Bones’ Jones will have an opportunity to prove why he is the best this weekend at UFC 247.
UFC 247 takes place on February 8 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes is set to headline the card. The co-main event features women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko vs Katlyn Chookagian as well as a stacked card surely to excite fans.