Originally posted on 02/20/2011:

Good point about the default thing. I agree if Shogun was washed up Jones would have been first choice. This is a big, big risk for Zuffa. Should Shogun win, he gets even more popular, but you still have a champ that can't fight more than twice a year.

Okay another thought about this matchup concerning conditioning. Shogun had good cardio in the first machida fight, didn't have a chance to show it in the second. He was sloppy coming off surgery against Forrest so thats a concern. Then you look at Jones. He complains about his weight cut most fights, and against Bader he definitely slowed down. This will be Jones first five rounder, and he has to peak an extra six weeks. Assuming Shoguns in good shape the championship rounds definitely help him.

Jones has the advantage that his camp was already working on a Shogun gameplan, but Greg Jackson's gameplans usually center on breaking the opponents will early. I don't feel thats something you can do to Mauricio Rua. Maybe if Jones got that crucifix...