Who will Jon Jones Pick for UFC 214 ?
#updated 27th April 2017 3:55pm #update 28th April 2.:33am Shogun vs Manuwa Jones picks Cormier -UFC214 just got real ! 11/05/201712.49pm
Daniel Cormier on UFC Tonight | Fox Sports said :
“Take the fight with me Jon Jones
there is no tune up fights in the UFC”
and lastly he said:
“We are fighting right now or he doesn’t get to fight me. It’s my rules, I’m the champ now.”
Though Cormier threw out an ultimatum to Jon Jones (and nicely done I might add) the cards are really not stacked in Cormier’s favour right now. It is in fact as Dana White said “If Jon Jones is ready to fight” to which the whole MMA media world can only wait and look on with baited breath.
Frustrations all round
Uk’s light heavyweight contender Jimi Manuwa is also upset about the situation but in reality if Jones opts out of UFC214 for a tune up fight then Manuwa gets his title shot. If Jon chooses to fight, then the kingdom will be restored once again as the truly undefeated champion re-takes the throne that was never taken from him (just the title belt) and his reign will once again bring order to the LHW division that has been dried up with men knocking on 40 years of age and are in desperate need of a lick of paint. If ever a TUF series was needed it is right now to put some blood intravenously back into a division that is long past needing some new life.
Cormier has had a good run at being a champion of sorts, but all good things must come to an end. This final chapter will soon be upon us and like the gladiators of old that longed for an honourable ending inside the Roman Colosseums, Cormier will have a glorious ending.
You have to feel sorry for Babajimi because he was never really in the title picture but in some wise was being used as a ruse much like Khabib was used to set up the McGregor vs Alvarez fight .
If Comier vs Jones II does go ahead Babajimi will have to relinquish his title hopes for the immediate future and get to the back of the line as I am sure Alexander Gustafsson and Jones have a dance to be danced (unfinished business) not forgetting a potential dance at Heavyweight with retired 205lb Rumble Johnson who said he could be tempted back for such a bout.
#update:A solution for Manuwa?
(Quote taken from article by Kelsey Mowatt on April 27, 2017) Mauuwa has recently been criticized by Glover Teixeira who came out and said the following :
“Jimi Manuwa isn’t qualified to fight for the belt”
“He didn’t beat any top fighter yet.”
“I think Jimi Manuwa has to beat a top fighter first before thinking about fighting for the belt, or maybe two or three top guys..” “Jimi Manuwa is down there, in my opinion.”
The only fighter who does not appear to have a fight booked in the top 5 and is still currently available is Shogun Rua currently ranked #4 .Would it not make sense that Manuwa tests himself against the ranked #4? I know it is not a step upwards, but with losses to both former contender Rumble Johnson and Alexander Gustafsson it would make sense that a top 5 win would only go further to solidify Manuwa as a top contender at this time.
With 13 weeks out and the clock ticking I am sure we will know soon as Cormier will have to prepare his training camp for either fighter.
Quote taken from article by: Simon Samano | April 19, 2017 8:20 pm
“I didn’t want (Jones) to kind of jump the line,” Manuwa said. “I’ve been working hard, knocking people out. I believe I deserve the title shot. He’s the greatest of all time, but he’s been off for a year or two years. I think he needs a warm-up fight, and I think he knows he needs a warm-up fight.”
Jones is holding all the aces and all the Kings at this moment. Does he go for his title at UFC214 or does he sit this one out and take a tune up fight and watch the minions thrash it out for a mere title?
CORMIER vs JONES II, THIRD TIME’S A CHARM
Cormier vs Jones II has been a year in the making although it feels like forever. The UFC first tried to make this fight back in April 23rd 2016 at UFC197. Cormier pulled out due to a leg injury and to save the card Jones agreed to fight Ovince Saint Preux on short notice for the interim title
Cormier vs Jones II was re-scheduled for UFC 200 Sat 9th July 2016. The fight was cancelled due to Jone’s potential USADA violation and Anderson Silva stepped in for a 3 round non- title fight to save the main event.
Cormier vs Jones II will be re-scheduled for the 3rd time at UFC214 if Jones is ready to fight. let us also say a prayer for Cormier because he will still have to make his official weight of 206.2 at the weigh-ins!
We will keep watching this space as the news updates…
Chris Taylor of BJ Penn.Com confirmed yesterday that UFC214 is on.
Cormier will meet Jon Jones to battle for the 206.2 title currently held by bad boy Daniel Cormier at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on the 29th July 2017.
