Right after UFC Light heavyweight Champion Jon Jones finished cruising to a UD win over Glover Teixeira at last weekend’s UFC 172 event, it was announced that Jones’ next challenge would be a rematch with Alexander Gustafsson. The first match remain s etched in the MMA public’s mind as a defining moment, one that shot Gustafsson’s stock through the ceiling and showed Jones to be just a wee bit fallible. The line for that one favored Jones by more than 5 to 1, do not look for a repeat when this line hits the sportbooks.
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But what would be a fair line? Certainly Gustafsson had a career defining performance in his last outing, marking up Jones face and not wilting under Jones’ pressure. The Swede was all business in sending ascending Jim Manuwa to the back of the line in the Light heavyweight pack and he seems to have the maturity and the mindset to mount another serious challenge to the champion. This will result in a much closer line than for the first fight at the books.
But despite leaving the octagon with a swollen face and a deflated ego, Jones was never really close to being finished in that fight. Yes he was frustrated by his inability to hurt the Swede and crack his defenses, and the punishment from Gustafsson added up and showed on his face. But there was never a moment where Jones was out of the fight.
And Jones too, came back and fought well in his next outing. The UFC could make an interesting match in Jim Manuwa and Glover Teixeira, but until they do, it is Teixeira who is the higher rated opponent. And Jones was dominant, sweeping the scorecards. Manuwa is likely a cut below, so Gustafsson did his job by taking him out.
The evidence is that both men have bounced back and that this second encounter will be better than the first one. I wouldn’t count on that, as the match mat turn methodical if a the fighters continue to stalemate. That favors Jones, as his diverse attack and up tempo style will keep him ahead with the judges.
