Jon Jones: I'm just as fast as Vitor Belfort

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Grimreapers
Date: September 18, 2012 at 02:01 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, was a special quest for axs.tv Inside MMA today.
During his special appearance Jones discussed his decision to pull out of UFC 151, and briefly talked about his opponent at UFC 152.
Jon Jones is currently schedule to fight Vitor Belfort at UFC 152 on September 22, 2012 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
His original opponent was Dan Henderson, but a partial torn MCL force the number one contender out the championship fight 8 days before the bout.
UFC officials quickly scrambled to find Jon Jones a new opponent, but all the fighters next in line declined the match. Seen plan A, B, and C failed, the UFC offered Jon Jones a match against former number one contender to the UFC middleweight title Chael Sonnen.
Jon Jones declined to fight Sonnen on 8 days notice, and UFC officials where forced to canceled UFC 151 since they had no main event.
Many UFC fans, and officials have bash Jon Jones for his decision to not fight Chael Sonnen, but Jon Jones still stands by his decision, as the right decision.
When asked if he was surprised by the backlash he received when he turned down the fight against Chael Sonnen, Jones responded:
Yeah you know it surprised me the whole UFC 151 backlash. It was a little bit of a surprise, but at the same time with every decision is gonna come with critics. Some people are gonna love the decision you make, some people aren't gonna agree with the decision you make, but me been in the position I am, I just have to be comfortable with the decision that I make. I have to think through rationally, and I have thoughten through rationally, and I still stand by the decision I have made. My job is to be strong, and to be a man, and stand by the decision I have made.
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During the live interview, Jon Jones was asked if he thinks Vitor Belfort hand speed could cause him problems.
Yeah his hand speed is definitely a gift that he has, but you know I believe I'm really fast too Bas, A lot of people kinda discredit me for a lot of things. The majority of people who don't really know mma they just blame it on me for been long, but there is a lot more than to been long that I have to contribute to my success, and speed is definitely one of my advantages as well. Where Vitor is fast, I believe I'm really fast as well, but we can't forget he has a Carlson Gracie black belt. Which is a very legitimate black belt. So yeah that ground game obviously I got to be on my P and Q's, and then speed I honestly think I match him in speed. On power he might have an edge on me there.
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[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MMAFTM13
Date: September 18, 2012 at 04:49 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

You're not Jon but whatever..At least he's given the power advantage I suppose..

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Brick
Date: September 18, 2012 at 08:03 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

As fast as modern-day, right now Vitor Belfort? Eh, I could believe it, not that much of a stretch.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: D253
Date: September 18, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

Brick said:
As fast as modern-day, right now Vitor Belfort? Eh, I could believe it, not that much of a stretch.
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+1

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: coreymb
Date: September 18, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

If we are talking pure hand speed, I don't buy it. Even as Vitor ages, his hand speed is amazing. Jones is obviously the more all around athletic guy that has a lot of speed himself.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Rocksteady
Date: September 18, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

Yeah, I'm not a fan of Bones, but I definitely think he's right. His speed is quite good as well as his power, I think. There's a reason why this guy is trending as the next Anderson Silva, a guy who murdered Belfort.
I think Belfort may edge him in power, but I mean look at the size difference.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: D253
Date: September 18, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

The foot speed is gonna be the deciding factor in this fight anyways....
Will vitor be able to close the distance and get inside that reach?
The fast hands will help him if he can get inside, but without the foot speed to do it, its useless.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: a_clown_shoe
Date: September 18, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

I wrote this on the main page and it devolved into race comments, but I think Jones is conflating athletic speed with striking speed and accuracy.
I think Jones is faster in a foot race than Belfort, but Belfort has faster and more accurate hands in terms of striking. Belfort's advantage might be smaller because he is older, presumably not using performance-enhancing substances at the level he once was, and seems to lose some steam as he gets heavier.
But I do agree with Jones's claim that there is more to him winning fights than just being long. It's true that his reach advantage helps significantly, but Tim Sylvia was a guy that won fights on reach alone. Jones is more than that. He's a better wrestler and a better athlete and incredibly creative.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: jordorains
Date: September 18, 2012 at 04:22 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

jon jones is not that fast. he may think he is and some people on here may think he is but if you watch he moves nowhere near the speed of vitor. even now.
As a student in the Sports Medicine field it's simply a fact that vitor is literally in his prime years at this moment. As a physical specimen he is now more likely faster than he was when he was fast. Jon Jones has 2-3 more years before his body hits it's peak and with the lankyness of his body the muscle contractions and nerves it takes to move them just have father to go and need more force to move them. because vitor is smaller in stature and has a greater cross sectional area of muscle means he has more muscle spindels and propreoriceptors. With a shorter distance to move the muscle durring a contraction coupled with the fact that he has more of the appropriate nerves in his muscles makes him faster.
Maybe in his late 20's early 30's he will be as fast as vitor but now, by scientific analysis it just doesn't make sense.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: RearNakedSlam
Date: September 18, 2012 at 05:17 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

Jones isn't as fast at Vitor. Not even close. Jones may be a fast guy, but compared to Vitor he is just average. Vitor can likely throw a punch and be out of the way before Jones throws his punch, or in Vitor style, he can throw 3 punches and be getting ready to throw the 4th before Jones tries to counter the first. :lol:

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Gnarcore
Date: September 18, 2012 at 05:29 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

I severely doubt Jones has he hand speed of Vitor. Nor has he shown any ability at all compared to Vitor has far as power goes. Not that it will matter...

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mabrown45
Date: September 18, 2012 at 05:35 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

did you guys even read the quoted part of what jones said or just went into simple "jones hate mode?".....or just blindly followed the misleading title?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Watain
Date: September 18, 2012 at 05:38 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

mabrown45 said:
did you guys even read the quoted part of what jones said or just went into simple "jones hate mode?".....or just blindly followed the misleading title?
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Yeah exactly, and i really dont liek jomes.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: D253
Date: September 18, 2012 at 05:49 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

RearNakedSlam said:
Jones isn't as fast at Vitor. Not even close. Jones may be a fast guy, but compared to Vitor he is just average. Vitor can likely throw a punch and be out of the way before Jones throws his punch, or in Vitor style, he can throw 3 punches and be getting ready to throw the 4th before Jones tries to counter the first. :lol:
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I hope Vitor gets a chance to do that....
Because if he does, I have a feeling Jones will be hurt :twisted:

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: bcmvp11
Date: September 18, 2012 at 06:25 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

Is Jones faster than Belfort? Doubtful, especially in the hand speed category, Vitor beats just about anybody in that category. Jones has even shown that he's had a little trouble with guys faster than him. He still won, but those were his toughest fights for sure (Machida and Evans especially Machida). Slower guys don't get anywhere on Jones (Rampage, Bader, Shogun). I'm expecting Vitor to lose, but he may have a better chance than we're all giving him.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: D253
Date: September 18, 2012 at 06:49 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

Shawnd1901 said:
BigLEFT said:
RearNakedSlam said:
Jones isn't as fast at Vitor. Not even close. Jones may be a fast guy, but compared to Vitor he is just average. Vitor can likely throw a punch and be out of the way before Jones throws his punch, or in Vitor style, he can throw 3 punches and be getting ready to throw the 4th before Jones tries to counter the first. :lol:
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I hope Vitor gets a chance to do that....
Because if he does, I have a feeling Jones will be hurt :twisted:
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Vitor needs to bullrush jones throwing bombs and put his cocky *** to sleep
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I sure hope he does as that is his only chance imo....
The thing that worries me is that the "New" Vitor likes to sit back and wait to counter....and that won't be smart in this fight. It also got his *** ktfo against Anderson....

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: RearNakedSlam
Date: September 18, 2012 at 06:52 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

BigLEFT said:
Shawnd1901 said:
BigLEFT said:
I hope Vitor gets a chance to do that....
Because if he does, I have a feeling Jones will be hurt :twisted:
Click to expand...
Vitor needs to bullrush jones throwing bombs and put his cocky *** to sleep
Click to expand...
I sure hope he does as
that is his only chance imo....
The thing that worries me is that the "New" Vitor likes to sit back and wait to counter....and that won't be smart in this fight. It also got his *** ktfo against Anderson....
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QFT, and overlooked.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Rocksteady
Date: September 18, 2012 at 08:33 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

Yeah Bones' speed is average.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mabrown45
Date: September 18, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

Rocksteady said:
Yeah Bones' speed is average.
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and that is the "toughest" fight ever for bones :roll:

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: RearNakedSlam
Date: September 18, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/jon-jones-im-just-as-fast-as-vitor-belfort.48531/

Rocksteady said:
Yeah Bones' speed is average.
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*YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN*
This isn't even Vitor at his fastest.