UFC 128 Results: Jon Jones Is No Mike Tyson
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 10:46 AM EDT
in UFC Editorial
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For a month the UFC has been giving Jon Jones the hard sell. He's been all over the media in New York, been featured prominently in his own reality special on SPIKE TV, even crowned himself the new light heavyweight champion days before the fight was even set to occur. Last night he lived up to expectations, becoming the youngest champion in UFC history, running right over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua on his way to the title.
Becoming champion was not enough; a new set of expectations were thrust upon Jones's young shoulders by announcer Joe Rogan last night. As Jones prepared to step into the cage, Rogan compared him to a young Mike Tyson. Slow down.
It's easy to forget what a cultural phenomenon Tyson was. Sure, Jones has done well in just three years as a professional fighter. But remember this - just fourteen months into his professional career Tyson was headlining in Madison Square Garden against Mitch "Blood" Green. Two years into his career Nintendo released Mike Tyson's Punch Out, an iconic video game played by millions. Soon after Tyson was immortalized in song by no less than Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. In short, Tyson was a legitimate cultural phenomenon.Not only was he the biggest drawing card in boxing, he was bigger than boxing.
As the night came to an end, Goldberg made the claim Jones was the "most visible face in the UFC." It's an interesting idea, but not likely remotely true. Millions and millions of sports fans were tuned into the NCAA basketball tournament last night. If they are aware of the fight at all, it is an after thought. Can you imagine saying the same about a Tyson fight? Tyson was an event, a walking controversy.
Jones, instead, is another UFC champion who hasn't proven his merit at the box office. With Cain Velasquez, Frankie Edgar, Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, and Dominick Cruz, Jones is part of a new cast of characters that UFC fans have not completely bought into. Only Georges St. Pierre remains as a top draw among the sport's champions.
Can Jones turn his media hustle into cash? Anderson Silva, equally as dominant in the cage, has failed to take that next step. Jones's response to Rashad Evans's post fight challenge shows he has plenty to learn. Neither man looked into it; both need it to take that next step to a level of stardom few have managed to reach in modern UFC history.
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Haha
I just read a comment on another tread about How is Snowden going to shit on Jones’ performance.
Well, that person sure looks wrong…
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Unless he said when
It’s still a valid comment
Don't let my support confuse you, I am in fact a fan of the Giants.
by tito (eight and oh) on Mar 20, 2011 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Do the writers already have the articles written ahead of time?
Kind of like the NFL has the shirts & hats printed ahead of time for the Champions?
Just Breed!
by ScoreCardOTN on Mar 20, 2011 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah. Took a wild guess that Joe Rogan would at some point compare a fighter’s hype to a young Tyson. Been holding this one for three years.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
READ THE ARTICLE!!!!!!
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
I'm not saying the article is wrong
I’m just sating that literally after reading that comment this was on the front page.
I really can’t say anything about it though, mainly because I wasn’t born yet when Tyson started to blow up.
A lot of things to talk about tonight
and of course Snowden wants to go with negativity and criticize some comment Rogan made before the fight.
I be tossin' and flossin', my style is awesome
Causin' more family feuds than Richard Dawson.
If you guys can’t handle some criticism why not avoid BE just after the fight?
Boys becoming men...Men becoming wolves
by spectaa on Mar 20, 2011 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
Hypothesis:
They don’t want to. They’re amped up from watching guys beat the shit out of each other and their way to blow off steam is to yell at a guy who writes MMA articles because they still haven’t gotten around to setting up that punching bag in the living room.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 20, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s an interesting subject to talk about. There will be plenty of “OMG! JON JONES!” articles
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s called timing, and Snowden is piss poor at it.
Hey UFC4 go fuck yourself, how about that? Fucking punk, I was just asking for the source that says lesnar gets 5 mill a fight, it’s obvious one does not exist. Bunch of gabronis on a site pulling figures out of your ass.
by Garrett Bennicas
OR really awesome at it.
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Exactly...you see how many comments this article has already?
"I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by in the fight, what you saw, in the ring." - Tito Ortiz
by CasualMMAFan on Mar 20, 2011 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly…..the man is an effective troll. And we love our effective trolls.
by joshyboy708 on Mar 20, 2011 2:04 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not really.
Goldberg and Rogan’s job is hyperbole. I don’t think anyone actually thinks Jones=Tyson. Most people in the fight thread were outraged when Rogan made the comparison. I just think there are so many other things to talk about.
I be tossin' and flossin', my style is awesome
Causin' more family feuds than Richard Dawson.
We have 20 articles on the show up already. I think we’ve got it covered.
You have pinpointed an issue that makes the UFC more “entertainment” than “sport” in some ways. It is Rogan’s job to provide hyperbole? Why is that? Because the team covering the event works for the promoter.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions
This is a negative article?
I don’t think so.
I tend to be biased towards strikers . . . exciting strikers.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Mar 20, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Premature much?
Jones, instead, is another UFC champion who hasn’t proven his merit at the box office.
HE JUST WON THE DAMN TITLE! Can you give him at least 1 PPV headliner as champion and check the buy rates before you comment on his “merit at the box office.”
Jebus man. I realize what you are here for, and I’m obviously taking the bait, but it’s getting pretty blatant right now.
Not douchey enough for a Kindle yet.
by KidThunder on Mar 20, 2011 1:11 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
He's right. He won. But, he hasn't proven his merit at the box office.
That’s his first main event of a PPV.
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
Well
We can see how much this PPV does. However his special on Spike drew higher ratings than the Countdown show so he does have some draw.
Yeah, but that’s like saying before tonight Jones had never won a championship match- duh, he’s never had the chance to.
Hey UFC4 go fuck yourself, how about that? Fucking punk, I was just asking for the source that says lesnar gets 5 mill a fight, it’s obvious one does not exist. Bunch of gabronis on a site pulling figures out of your ass.
by Garrett Bennicas
He had two main events on TV. The second did worse than the first. Something may be missing – that “it” factor. Endless religion talk probably a bit off putting too. There’s definitely something missing.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think you can really blame him for the second. He was fighting Matsushenko(sp). That first Vs card was pretty solid for a free tv show IIRC.
UFC on Versus 1:
Sakara/Irvin – not a draw fight
Kongo/Buentello – hardly a draw at all but Kongo is somewhat familiar
Junior dos Santos/Gabe Gonzaga – JDS was not a star/Gonzaga was faded
Jones/Vera – Not really a huge drawing fight
UFC on Versus 2
Griffin/Gomi – Not really any sort of draw fight, kind of in line with Kongo/Buentello (guys people kind of know from other shows)
Howard/Ellenberger – right in line with Sakara/Irvin
Okami/Munoz – Maybe a half step below JDS/Gonzaga in terms of “name value”
Jones/Matyushenko – Not really a huge drawing fight
Lost about a quarter million viewers from first show to the second.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, according to Luke Thomas and Melzer, that is due to oversaturation and the UFC’s product “plateauing”.
To save me some time on 25% of all threads, here's the universal answer to the Fedor-debate: Fedor is the most accomplished MMA fighter ever. That is a fact. If he still is the best fighter at this point in time is up for debate.
what about that sentence is wrong? Did you not read the article?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
It's not that it's wrong.....
It’s that AS CHAMPION he has headlined a total of ZERO PPVs. Hell, we don’t even know the numbers from this PPV yet. I understand Tyson was MUCH MUCH huger, but that’s like constantly comparing every NBA basketball talent to Michael Jordan. Before we start talking about what Jones HASN’T done, can we at least give him a chance to do it?
Not douchey enough for a Kindle yet.
Since Snowden only criticised Rogan for a premature compariso: no, we can’t. :)
To save me some time on 25% of all threads, here's the universal answer to the Fedor-debate: Fedor is the most accomplished MMA fighter ever. That is a fact. If he still is the best fighter at this point in time is up for debate.
I hate to say this, but….Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, Jon Jones. Arguably 3 of most exciting offensive fighters in MMA history. Jones in particular is a walking highlight reel. And yet, none of them could draw flies if they were dead by the side of the road. No one, outside of the hardocres, could give a rats ass. Why do you think that is?
that is easy
because they are Brazilian and black, respectively, and the pay per view audience is still largely white.
Is there any proof...
…for that “the white audience doesn’t like brazilians / black”-stuff? I would accept it if someone said that people are more likely to cherish a champion of the same skin-colour or whatever, just like they are more likely to cheer for someone from their own country. That may just be human nature and you can’t even really qualify it as “racism”. But I have trouble imagining that this is an effect that would really cause a significant disparity in drawing power – given how many black / ethnic athletes have become world famous and role-models around the globe? Anybody has some facts on that besides “all my friends cheer for white-guys!”?
To save me some time on 25% of all threads, here's the universal answer to the Fedor-debate: Fedor is the most accomplished MMA fighter ever. That is a fact. If he still is the best fighter at this point in time is up for debate.
Here we go with this..
Can we let Shoguns corpse get picked off the octagon before we start crapping on Jones’ title reign.
Whether you are ready to admit it or not the kid is clearly a transcendent figure and should be lauded for the work he’s put in, in the cage and the crazy amount of media this fight week. Snowden gtfo.
by Rtothe2 on Mar 20, 2011 1:11 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
“the kid is clearly a transcendent figure” —> that is clearly wrong. Jones is still strictly known to the MMA community so he has not transcended anything.
To save me some time on 25% of all threads, here's the universal answer to the Fedor-debate: Fedor is the most accomplished MMA fighter ever. That is a fact. If he still is the best fighter at this point in time is up for debate.
Come on man
How could you place Anderson in the same category as any of those guys? People love to hate anderson. Every one of his fights sells out. He is the most dominant fighter in UFC history and other than moving up to light heavyweight (which is a definite possibility) there really is no next step for him.
Really...Really
The point is drawing power at the box office. Clearly “being great” hasn’t translated to tons of buys for Anderson Silva.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re right. But Jones did something that very few can, make Shogun tap out due to STRIKES. Not only did he own him as if he was property, but he made him quit. With continue performances like that, he will become a draw. The problem with Anderson Silva is that he doesn’t make too much of an effort to speak english.
I'll just be here watching....
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:13 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
No brave souls discussing the article on its merits. Of course.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Yep.
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Rogan was clearly comparing Jones to Tyson where at a young age, Tyson had all the talent in the world, and was at the top of his sport.
You’re just mad over the fact that another one of your favorite fighters got dominated in a high profile bout that you can’t, for once, say anything positive.
Thanks for again confirming that you’re the Skip Bayless of “MMA Journalism”.
by Chaeloween on Mar 20, 2011 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No. Rogan said that it was a comparable amount of hype between the two.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
boxing was already mainstream when Mike Tyson emerged… MMA has yet to get into a generational critical mass yet which takes around 40 years. All the other sports, NFL, NBA, Boxing, etc… has already reached their generational critical mass.
It’s not fair to compare jones to tyson beside athletically. It would better to find someone in the early days of boxing.
by mmalogic on Mar 20, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
What like Bob Fitzimmons? Tom Sharkey? Should we deliver the MMA news via telegraph and the Pony Express too?
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
It all depends on how you choose to frame the question.
In ‘the boxing world’ Mike Tyson had as much hype as Jon Jones does in ‘the mma world’. It just so happens that ‘the boxing world’ was much bigger at the time. Think of the hype as a pool of water. They are both the same length, but the pool for boxing is much wider, while the pool for mma is narrow. They are just as deep, however.
So Snowden is right that Jones doesn’t have the same amount of hype because of the popularity of boxing, but Rogan is right in that they both have/had the same hype in their respective worlds. It all depends on how you frame the question.
Jon also wasn’t negative toward jones at all.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Jon is always very confident about Jones
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
OHHHHHHH
Jon Snowden not Jon Jones!
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I thought this was a joke reply
Rec’d
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
Well, you're undeniably correct. Who wants to argue with that?
Bolts from the Blue // "It's a league game, Smokey." - Walter Sobchak
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten
by Richard Wade on Mar 20, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Plenty of people I am sure.
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
But on the actual merits?
Bolts from the Blue // "It's a league game, Smokey." - Walter Sobchak
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten
by Richard Wade on Mar 20, 2011 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Less than plenty.
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions
You want a discussion on merits? Ok, here goes: African Americans dont care about Jon Jones because he is too “white”. Caucasians dont care about Jon Jones because he is African American. There you have it.
Still waiting for that discussion on merits……..
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Anecdotal evidence:
Bar I go to was packed with black people. Tough to find a table. Usually it’s a lighter crowd at these events.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 20, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, they can finally go out and not deal with every white person in america pretending they’re irish and drinking embarrassing green beer.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
I'm telling Marcus Davis you said that.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 20, 2011 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I will rec the shit out of this
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Thursday and Friday were truly the amateur double play out there. Glad I stayed off the roads.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Mar 20, 2011 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I made your comment green for being awesome, but mostly for irony.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
No offense Jonathan, but you knew damn well that putting this article up immediately after the fight what kind of responses it would generate. If you had posted the exact same article on Monday or Tuesday, you would have gotten a completely different response.
I agree that this is an interesting topic, but the chances of getting serious responses on a Saturday night when everyone is amped up and has been drinking is nil. If you want people to discuss the merits of you articles, you should be more selective about when you post them.
Okay, I'll discuss it on it's merits
The problem is that your premise is a strawman. Rogan was not comparing how much of a cultural phenomenon Jon Jones is relative to Tyson. He was not comparing how much merchandise bears their names or how much of a household name they are. He was making a very specific comparsion between the hype for a young prospect like Jones heading into a title fight as a huge favorite over the reigning champ with the hype for Tyson going into his first title fight with Trevor Berbick. It was a very specific comparison and while it might have been a little hyperbolic it’s not that far off the mark when taken in context.
I can’t help but wonder how many of the people who agreed with your article were too young to remember the up and coming Tyson of 1986 – otherwise they would understood exactly what Rogan meant in referencing the Berbick fight.
Honestly, I have to question how well you remember that period yourself, given your highlighting of the Mitch “Blood” Green fight . That was not a big deal at the time. The James “Quick” Tillis fight a few weeks before was much more important as it was on Wide of Sports, Tillis was former contender, and was the first time anyone went the distance with Tyson. Nobody remembered the Green fight until he and Tyson got into their street fight a few years later.
this is a strange thing to nitpick...
If you wrote an article for every hyperbolic statement by mma announcers I don’t think you’d get to write about much substance. Where was the piece cooling down Miletich calling Tyron Woodley “the most athletic fighter in MMA?”
by John Danaher's Hair on Mar 20, 2011 1:14 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
we should expect it anytime now
That Strikeforce is under the Zuffa banner
by Rtothe2 on Mar 20, 2011 1:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 4 recs
How the hell do I know who the most athletic fighter in MMA is? Maybe it is Tyron Woodley. You think a statement like that is comparable to the UFC making a claim like this about their best prospect in front of the world in a title match? Why insult the UFC by making these comparisons? It’s not the same…
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions
again...
there are so many embellishments in everything the announcers of any promotions’ broadcast say- they’re not objective parties…it’s not a network bound to being impartial- they work for the company. it’s ludicrous to pick out one comment to scrutinize as if it’s anything other than trying to sell a product, not provide quantitative information.
by John Danaher's Hair on Mar 20, 2011 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Goldberg felt he had a bit more freedom to embellish since most sports fans were watching NCAA Basketball
If the fight was likely an afterthought, then anything Goldberg said isn’t likely to be remembered.
GreenHouse
There are far more important things to call Rogan out on though!
For example this whole “If you had to create the perfect fighter to defeat X on paper it would be Y”-bullshit. That has. to. stop.
To save me some time on 25% of all threads, here's the universal answer to the Fedor-debate: Fedor is the most accomplished MMA fighter ever. That is a fact. If he still is the best fighter at this point in time is up for debate.
I am not one to defend Snowden as I've disagreed with him on a lot.....
But holy crap he’s right. Jones is no Tyson. They’re in their marketing infancy with him. He’s got enormous potential to reach the summit of MMA and become the face of the sport.
Focus on the fight first and now awesome it was to witness the destruction of a man who had never been beaten like that. EVER!
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
No
Hes not talking Jones culturally figure wise, hes comparing Jones talent to a young Mike Tysons…nothing else.
I wish death upon no one, but not all deserve to live.
HE COMPARED THEIR HYPE LEVELS
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
no
http://tini.cc - Simple & Fast URL Shortener
http://www.mmalegions.com/ - MMA Betting
...he said the most hyped fighter to come along since Mike Tyson.
I had to rewind before I bitched about it.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
This article would have an awesome point if boxing in the mid 80s and MMA now were remotely comparable in terms of public awareness.
I mean hell, Chad Ochocinco has a much greater impact on society, and even sports than Jon Jones does. That has nothing to do with his skill, or even his alleged charisma, it has to do with the platform that his sport gives him.
SNOWDEN YOU'RE SUCH A PRICK AND ALL YOU DO IS SHIT ALL OVER EVERYTHING
YOU’RE LIKE NORTH KOREA YOU FUCKING BUZZKILL
Just kidding, good piece. Agree.
Check out Chester, an Xbox game being developed by a friend.
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Nice. I was about to ban you. haha
Bolts from the Blue // "It's a league game, Smokey." - Walter Sobchak
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten
by Richard Wade on Mar 20, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Please don't!
I have a really weird love-hate relationship with like every person on this site. You guys complete me.
Check out Chester, an Xbox game being developed by a friend.
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
I will say this...
Jones is no Tyson because Mike fighting MMA would lead to legalized murder… Jones era has begun however
Welcome to the Token Era...
I guess the UFC’s gamble to sell this guy paid off…Damn shame really…It sucks having to be known as a hype champ than an actual champ that paid his dues…Congrats Bones, you got the belt…14:59 and counting…
In the end...all that will be left will be shadows and dust...
LOL!
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
if only this Jon “Jones” Bones could develop some sort of skillset that could help him win a fight or two… Maybe someday, he’ll impress me with something he does… I guess.
You need to respect the baby... 'cause life is precious... and God... and the Bible.
by timetraveltome on Mar 20, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Pssh...
I wish…I don’t even know what the hell that term means…It’s just my 2 cents anyway…
In the end...all that will be left will be shadows and dust...
by Edgar Lozano on Mar 20, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Of course not.
Popular impact has nothing to do with how good you are. One of the biggest sports starts of the decade was Anna Kournakova. How will a bland athlete in a niche sport be able to dominate headlines?
The only way he’s like Tyson is that they are both young champs who look unbeatable (not like that lasts long in MMA…)
@scb0212
The Machiavellian.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 20, 2011 1:18 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Anna Kournakova.? What decade was this? In the same way Paris Hilton is one of our biggest television stars I guess. Not based on any real metrics. The comparison was to Tyson. Don’t be angry that Tyson was a bigger star in 1987 than Jon Jones will ever be.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not at all angry. I know Jones will never be as popular Tyson. Tyson is a whirlwind of a personality (loved the documentary), and Jones is completely humorless as far as I can see. Excellent athlete, but why be interested in him as a person?
I’m thinking of popularity in terms of recognition, media appearances, water-cooler discussions, etc. Kournakova was a huge hit with the media despite her mediocre tennis skills – just like Paris Hilton and her “acting”. What metric are you using?
@scb0212
The Machiavellian.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Mar 20, 2011 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Funny
Anderson is no draw, yet his last 3 headliners have done better and better
UFC 112 – Estimated at 500K buyrate
UFC 117 – Est 600K buys
UFC 126 – Est 700-750K buys
GSP’s last 2 headliners
UFC 111 – Est 850K buys
UFC 124 – Est 875K buys
and Anderson Silva didn’t have ANY primetime specials or coaching stints on The Ultimate Fighter to help him out.
Alistair Overeem - StrikeForce Heavyweight Champion, K-1 2010 World Grand Prix Champion, DREAM Heavyweight Champion
June 18th, 2011:
Fabricio Werdoomsday
Game Overeem
the last 3 Anderson cards have been stacked with huge names around him to help his headlining events draw better
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
111 was quite stacked
Alistair Overeem - StrikeForce Heavyweight Champion, K-1 2010 World Grand Prix Champion, DREAM Heavyweight Champion
June 18th, 2011:
Fabricio Werdoomsday
Game Overeem
by Chris Groves on Mar 20, 2011 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Too many people want to compare young, talented, usually black fighters
with Ali and Tyson. Pisses me off.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 20, 2011 1:19 AM EDT reply actions
Can you imagine a more dissimilar fighter than Jon Jones? He and Tyson seem to be polar opposites.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely.
Jones studied criminal justice in college whereas Tyson is well-versed in criminal activities.
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
by SSreporters on Mar 20, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Because Tyson
Was a middle of the road fighter with decent power who’s legend was built by fighting mediocre fighters and has beens like Spinks and Holmes. Any time someone mentions how great Tyson was it immediately let’s me know they aren’t a fan of boxing.
I like you!
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't hate Tyson. I just hate the idea that it's a popular (and wrong) opinion that he's one of the top 10 heavyweights ever
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s not that wide of the mark. He’s in the 10-15 range so I wouldn’t call it a huge liberty to sneak him into the tail end of your top 10 list.
Calling Tyson a middle of the road fighter with decent power is a greater disservice to the sport and division than calling him a top 10 HW of all time. One is an exaggeration, the other is just ignorance IMO.
"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't." - Jack Dempsey
by Jack.Barrington on Mar 20, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Jones is even less like Ali.
When I heard those comparisons…just blew my mind. Makes me think that MMA fans shouldn’t be allowed to talk boxing on this site. Add it as a rule.
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 20, 2011 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Last night?
But this was written on the 19th! Which means yesterday is today, but then we would be in tomorrow. But tomorrow never comes. And now I’m confused!
by RobSchneider'sSuccessfulTwin on Mar 20, 2011 1:21 AM EDT reply actions
The very fabric of reality is now torn.
You need to respect the baby... 'cause life is precious... and God... and the Bible.
by timetraveltome on Mar 20, 2011 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions
We know where the fuck we at! East Coast in the motherfuckin house!
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Time-traveller!
You need to respect the baby... 'cause life is precious... and God... and the Bible.
by timetraveltome on Mar 20, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
hes come closer to the highs that tyson set then anyone else has in recent memory
boxing in the 80s was a much bigger audience than mma is now
and there is a huge difference between them, tyson was trying to bring back the glory days of the heavyweight division while jones is trying to bring his sport into the public eye
if tyson doesnt follow the coattails of greats such as marciano, ali, frasier, and foreman would he have been as popular as he was?
jones is reaching a very high level of popularity that hasnt really been seen by a combat sports star at that young of an age since tyson and thats where the comparisons come frome. but directly comparing how popular they are though is silly since its not even remotely close
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
Of course there are more famous bank robbers than g-men...
doesn’t Jones know that he’d be more popular if he beat women, got into brawls and sexually assaulted celebrities? Get to it Bones…
by John Danaher's Hair on Mar 20, 2011 1:22 AM EDT reply actions
The point here is that there is no NEED to compare Tyson and Jones. It’s just desperate flailing in an attempt to try to make Jones seem like a public sensation that he is not yet.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:24 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
But an article about that…really?
Boys becoming men...Men becoming wolves
by spectaa on Mar 20, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Agreed
but it just feels unnecessary to write an article on a hyperbolic statement made by an analyst.
I be tossin' and flossin', my style is awesome
Causin' more family feuds than Richard Dawson.
Jones is trending #1 after only his first main event fight on ppv in a sport that has not been through it’s generational critical mass yet …. trending #1 over any basketball.
That’s not sensational?
“Trending” is soooo important. Bellator fighters were trending on a show that drew 200,000 people on MTV2. Give me a break.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions
He was also trending after the Matyushenko fight on a show that drew less viewers than his previous fight. It’s not really that good of an indicator of drawing power.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Not only that he can afford to give one to his wife as a forgiveness gift
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
Robert Horry just threw out his back trying to move his giant box of championship rings…
You need to respect the baby... 'cause life is precious... and God... and the Bible.
by timetraveltome on Mar 20, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Kobe or Jordan will never be . . .
Bill Russell . . . . until another star NBA player wins 11 rings, you simply do not compare.
I tend to be biased towards strikers . . . exciting strikers.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Mar 20, 2011 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions
if jordan didnt retire 8 in a row was a possibility
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
Yawn. Let’s not forget Russell was one of the first player-coaches.
Here’s another one for you . . . the Oscar Robertson > Jason Kidd
I tend to be biased towards strikers . . . exciting strikers.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Mar 21, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, yeah. you really gotta do better than that. Time will tell.
I tend to be biased towards strikers . . . exciting strikers.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Mar 21, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
or this? oh, fail
So let me get this straight: the WWE has gone from the powerful "Austin 3:16" to the dominant and iconic "Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?" all the way to... (cue baby voice) "You can't see me." Oh, believe me, we all can see you. A blind-folded, sleeping, stuck in the basement, Stevie Wonder can see your monkey ass. - The Rock
MJ’s foray into baseball is only a fail if you fail to consider how difficult hitting .200 at AA is after not playing baseball for however long Jordan had been away from the game.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
Agreed.
Jones isn’t Tyson. Why do we always have to make someone like someone else?
Well written article. Lol Snowden, you’re a pro at stirring the pot with something that seems so simple as the title of your articles. Brilliant! I’m a fan.
by SkeezinSteevin on Mar 20, 2011 1:25 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
This is exactly it. The establishing of your stars as unique is something the UFC should be all about. We’ve already got Jose Aldo, the featherweight mike tyson. And anderson silva, the middleweight ali/roy jones..etc. Establish your stars as unique and rare talents rather than feel the need to draw the comparisons.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Totally agree
Part of what made Tyson such a spectacle were the things he said, and his presence in the media, and his funny, squeaky and highly deceptive voice. None of these guys will ever talk about raping people in interviews, especially Jones. He says he knows he’s good like Mike, but he does so with bright eyes and a tone that pisses people off.
by Bravefart on Mar 20, 2011 12:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I am thoroughly convinced that Snowden has articles pre typed before the fight is even over. And depending on who wins, he just writes the opposite of what people think so they will read and comment on it.
When Jon Jones gets his own entry music written by DJ Jazzy Jeff or goes to prison for rape I’ll expect an apology from Snowden :D You are completely right Jones isn’t the cultural icon that Mike Tyson is/was, of course I didn’t see where anyone was trying to say he was. I thought they were talking about fighting and winning titles not being a blown up media pun with a funny voice. Jon Jones is also not the Charlie Sheen/Paris Hilton/Snapple lady of MMA for what it’s worth.
Either Goldberg or Rogan made the comparison. Pretty sure that’s what Snowden was going off of.
by SkeezinSteevin on Mar 20, 2011 1:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh I know they made the comparison, I just thought it was a comparison to how Tyson exploded onto a sport to win a world title not how Tyson was a cultural icon outside of the ring. No fighter in MMA is anywhere near what Tyson was culturally but I don’t think that was the point they were making to start with.
Everything that happened tonight, and that’s what he chooses to focus on? Classic. I half expected an article criticizing Jones for not finishing Shogun in the first round. If I don’t see a “Jon Jones is a bully for fighting Rashad Evans” article I’ll be very dissapointed.
by joshyboy708 on Mar 20, 2011 1:26 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
We’ve all got things we’re going to talk about with it.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, his reaction to a hurt Shogun in round one was a disappointment. Very timid.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Far more cautious than timid. Shogun has historically been very difficult to hurt or rock, and the success of Werdum playing possum for Fedor is still fresh in everyone’s mind.
"Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." -Mark Twain
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
by The American Ronin on Mar 20, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s a totally different era with a generaton raised on reality tv nonsense and a million virtual distractions. I’m the same age as you Snowden and you know exactly what I’m talking about. How many cable channels were there in the mid 80s? How unopposed and entrenched was boxing at that time? How could Jones even have a chance in this day and age to be like Tyson? What athelete has in recent memory if only for their moral failings. Thank God™ that Jones can’t be compared to Tyson or Tiger Woods. It’s an obvious point that he’s not and even DW himself never went there. The only truth of the matter is the reality that in his absolute prime Jone Jones would outright murder MIke Tyson, the man, the myth, the sad shell of a man that lingers on in this post mma world.
The more you drive the less intelligent you are.
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by Jeremy Couturier on Mar 20, 2011 1:27 AM EDT reply actions
Jones would murder Tyson?
very easy to say seeing as how Tyson did not train or fight in MMA.
I'll tell you one thing Jones does have in common....
He’s chippy- kicking at Shogun’s knee and covering the mouth? Legal, but chippy….
by John Danaher's Hair on Mar 20, 2011 1:28 AM EDT reply actions
I saw the headline and thought, "Right on time..."
Then I actually read the thing and I can’t disagree, except for the difference that I don’t think MMA is as accepted now as Boxing was when Tyson came up.
Disagree with this premise
I thought Rogan meant Jones = Tyson as in, Jones has destroyed all his opponents and is very young. Fifteen fights into his career, Tyson wasn’t a global superstar.
Besides, Jones is prohibited by law from headlining MSG (he could sell it out tomorrow) and presumably prohibited by contract from private label video games. So no, he will not be Tyson’s equal in those respects. But if you think rappers won’t be dropping his name soon, youre crazy.
Also you can’t suggest “Silva dominates but doesnt sell, so Jones won’t sell”. Jones is especially well-spoken and Silva’s English is rudimentary.
After this display of utter dominance against his best competition, I think Jones will be a great PPV draw.
Would anyone bet on Anderson Silva over Jon at this point? I’m just curious. I didn’t expect to say this, but while Shogun didn’t look his best, I don’t think Anderson would do much better.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Mar 20, 2011 1:30 AM EDT reply actions
I would pick Anderson
"If I had a dollar for every brain you don't have, I'd have one dollar." - Squidward Tentacles
At least Anderson would counter better…
by SkeezinSteevin on Mar 20, 2011 1:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Anderson’s speed, diversity of striking and misdirection would help him to land on Jon at least to a degree, but I think he’d get mauled in the clinch even worse than Shogun and would get crushed on the ground.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Mar 20, 2011 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I would pick Jones....Anderson wouldnt catch him in a submission IMO
Narcisist aka: Alberto Martinez, former owner of URDirt.com.
Regardless...
Jon Jones is the champion. All we have to do now is sit back, and see what happens. Could this kid be a dominant champ? Sure…But we don’t know that yet. A lot of folks jumped the gun on Machida, so let’s just take the time and see if the kid can keep it going…
In the end...all that will be left will be shadows and dust...
LOLWUT
I m pretty sure Rogan compared him to Tyson performance-wise and impressiveness-wise. That has nothing to do with fame.
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He didn’t remember the wording? Yeah, neither did most of us.
This is because it was a single piece of hyperbole by the post-fight interviewer (a duty that includes hyping things as part of the job description) that most of us forgot 15 minutes after the fight. Very much unlike the amazing performance in the fight itself. Yes, this is totally worthy of a front page article.
I’m so sick of this shit, about how can who make more money and talk more nonsense for more time on camera, who can play one-man PR agency the best? Saying that Cain, Aldo, Frankie, Anderson, Shogun and Jones aren’t good draws, is such an unrational and delusional statement. They’re not failures, it just means Georges is an exceptionally, unusually popular fighter. The level of popularity of the bigger part of champions, is the level of popularity for mma, the actual sport. Accept it. Not the level for the cheap trash talk, not the desperate cry for attention to pull in the casual viewers for 5 minutes. The sport. I come to Bloody Elbow for sports journalism. So how about less from guys who wish they were business reporters, and more on the actual competition in a sport that’s hitting puberty in these very times we live in, pretty please?
...........
"Every time I talk on the phone with someone who doesn’t know me, they call me "ma’am"." - Scott C. Broussard
by Earl Montclair on Mar 20, 2011 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
........
You know Joe, Brandon Vera is considered to be a Heavyweight George St.Pierre because he just comes, comes, and comes again... -Mike Goldberg, UFC 57
Cheick Kongo looks like a cross between Evander Holyfield and pop singer Seal!
Melvin Guilard looks like a little Kevin Randelman!
-Mike "All black people look alike to me" Goldberg, UFC 62/64
by Jonnycaz2.0 on Mar 20, 2011 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I lost it at “unrational”
Check out Chester, an Xbox game being developed by a friend.
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In about 4 seconds, a teacher will begin to speak...
SEE HOW IT SOUNDS, A LITTLE UNRATIONAL
Fresh for ’88 you suckas.
by Rob Young on Mar 20, 2011 5:17 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Tyson was a cultural phenomenon, you are correct. People that had no interest in the sport of boxing were fascinated by watching him look scary, behave poorly outside the ring and hurt overmatched people inside it. The two guys that went 3-0 against him and punked him, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield? The weren’t so popular at the box office. Still, one wonders who was more successful. I guess it depends on how you define success.
I think Snowden is looking at the word hype in the wrong context.
I don’t think Rogan meant their hype was the same in the sense that “everybody in the world is talking about this kid” as much as he meant that their hype was the same in that it was both people saying “Oh my God, this kid is completely unstoppable.” Obviously they don’t have the same SIZE in regards to their hype. But they clearly have the same KIND of hype, e.g. young, athletic, unbeatable monster.
The reason why Jones and Anderson aren’t huge draws is because most Americans don’t give a damn about mma. MMA will never be as big as dana says it will be. If you disagree, you’re a dilusional fan. The ufc can surely expand internationally, but IMO they have peaked in the States.
Your signature should be this short.
by nerdVictory on Mar 20, 2011 1:42 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Damn, I miss Tyson’s punch out. THis is gif is crazy.
I tend to be biased towards strikers . . . exciting strikers.
- - - - -
VEe is ANIMated!
by VeeisAnimated on Mar 21, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Innocent comparison my by Rogan
No need for an article here
You know Joe, Brandon Vera is considered to be a Heavyweight George St.Pierre because he just comes, comes, and comes again... -Mike Goldberg, UFC 57
Cheick Kongo looks like a cross between Evander Holyfield and pop singer Seal!
Melvin Guilard looks like a little Kevin Randelman!
-Mike "All black people look alike to me" Goldberg, UFC 62/64
That line was very carefully discussed prefight. It was obviously a point they wanted to hit. That wasn’t said by chance.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions
What do you think the harping on “youngest champion” was about?
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions
ZUFFA rubbing it in Barnett's face that he was being erased from history?
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 20, 2011 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
which wasn’t even close.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Mar 20, 2011 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions
snowden is right
tyson is a boxer.
jones is a mixed martial artist.
by silent.bisonte33 on Mar 20, 2011 1:55 AM EDT reply actions
Snowden's right
This is why I like Snowden. He, to borrow a term from Anderson Cooper, keeps them honest. He didn’t shit on Jones or his performance. He just said that Jones is no Tyson and I do not see how anyone can call anyone in MMA as Tyson. His fall from grace notwithstanding, NO MMA artist has come close to what he has.
I remember watching Rogan hype Jones while he was making his entrance and he started comparing the fight to the Tyson-Burbick fight. He said that Shogun is no Burbick and then trailed off. I added “and Jones is surely no Tyson”.
I think millions of people love MMA and have tremendous respect for the athletes and the great fights they put on. There is however, no need to resort to lies and ridiculous statements to bring in more fans.
Tyson was a walking time bomb and unpredictable not only in his fighting style, but more so in the way he conducted himself and that’s what made him Tyson. And as impressive as Jones is, he has not demolished not a single opponent yet in the way Tyson used.
Rogan and Dana don’t realise that people love MMA for what it is and not for the half-based truths they purvey to what they perceive as gullible and unsuspecting spectators and viewers. SMH.
by Konartist on Mar 20, 2011 2:11 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
CONGRATULATIONS
It has been a long time coming, but Snowden did it. I am done with Bloodly Elbow.
While Snowden may not be wrong with his assessment, posting this shit minutes after Jones’ impressive win is a yet another example of the dark side of online MMA.
What is the point of this? God forbid we embrace an impressive performance by the new LHW champ. This article had to have been started just as Jones won the title. The fact that Snowden’s first instict was to write a negative article says a lot about him.
BE has some great stuff, but negative crap like this has really worn on me and this shitty post is the final straw.
Goodbye and good riddance.
When you wake up in the morning and change your mind it will be too late. I have made sure you can live the dream! There are dozens of posts on the site right now. You came to this one. That was your choice. Good riddance.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh my god Lynchman has left…… The Sky is falling, the sky is falling, the sky is falling :D
I can understand thinking that a Snowden article is getting on your nerves but good grief if you feel so strongly about them that you would give up a place you have been coming to for 3 years then why in the hell would you read it to start with? No one makes anyone click on a Snowden story and read it and they damn sure don’t force us to comment on it. There are dozens of stories about this event on the website, how about if you don’t want to read Snowden’s stuff you just don’t read Snowden’s stuff and cut out the flame out drama (or you could of just skipped the sad “look at me” post and just left).
Over a million people payed to watch Mike Tyson fight Peter McNeely, for crying out loud. That alone should show you that no one really cared so much about quality of opposition. People that knew nothing about boxing thought he was interesting and paid to see him. In some ways he was more entertainment figure than sporting icon. A Tyson fan recently was going on and on about how unstoppable he was and how every one of his title defenses were first round knockouts. I pointed out to him that this wasn’t close to being true. Only three of his title defenses even came in the first three rounds and he was taken to the scorecards twice in his title reign before being knocked out by fringe top ten opponent James Douglas. The man’s reply? “You’r just mad that he beat up your boy Holyfield.” Sometimes you just can’t argue with the way people want to remember things. MMA, and likely boxing, will probably never again have a figure like boxing. But somehow it won’t hurt my feelings.
This back and forth is cracking me up. Debating the merits of anything Rogan says? Really? This is like the ol’ talk radio “topic/argument” to generate call. “who would you have to start a team today? Emmit Smith or Barry Sanders? Does Pete Rose belong in the HOF? Callers! Call the one ball line!!”
Magic 8 ball tells me there is a headline coming next week…Pride Fedor vs. Jones; The Story the UFC Doesn’t Want You to Know!!!"
by troutki on Mar 20, 2011 2:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Not really sure why some folks are interpreting this post as negative towards Jones. It’s not an insult to be told that your early career is not very similar to that of Mike Tyson. It’s a totally neutral statement with respect to the fighter.
It is, however, a criticism of the UFC commentary team / hype machine. But since when are they some kind of sacred cow?
Jones has a rape and multiple domestic assaults to perform before we can put him in Mike’s category. Someone needs to explain to him that thwarting criminals, respecting opponents and admitting to faith in a deity doesn’t sell pay-per-views. Serving time in jail and having a return bout against a ridiculously outmatched opponent does. I kid, I kid…..sort of.
We’re talking about Tyson early in his career. Let’s keep up.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions
But a lot of people like this guy.
Personally, many people I know, 20-30 y/o, know who this guy is and want to see him fight. These are people that do not otherwise watch too much MMA. Who knows if this guy becomes a true transformational mixed martial artist? But he is certainly dominant. And he’s great to watch. Mike Tyson had quite similar characteristics in his heyday.
Really snowden? This isnt an article about mma, this is a personal piss and moan that no one from the old guard has a belt. I love shogun and have been following him for years. That being said, jones dominated this fight. Of course,jones isnt tyson. In the tyson era, he was the crazy new knockout monster. This is a new, technical era.jones will be that new monster in time. You brought journalism to a new low with this one…
Of course,jones isnt tyson
You just restated the thesis of the article that you’re purporting to disagree with.
Snowden, you're a moron who's full of shit and trolling for attention.
Sure, your article makes a good point that I agree with, but I don’t like your stupid name and your refusal to cheerlead for Zuffa and I’ve been drinking green tea all goddamn day just waiting for you to write an article so I can CALL YOU OUT. SO IF YOU’RE COMIN ON…THEN COME ON!
"[UFC]’s a great rush, eh? It makes your sphincter get real tight." - Harold Howard
by lowellthehammer on Mar 20, 2011 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
It’s a great point. Let’s debate it for days. I for one would rather debate Rogan saying Jones was a “superhero.” I say he is more of a Green Lanter rather than a Superman. Better break down this important topic while it is top of mind.
by troutki on Mar 20, 2011 3:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Jonathan, I know this article was more a critique of Rogan (and I’m assuming Zuffa’s) attempt to liken Jones to an extremely popular historical boxing figure. I’m curious to know what your thoughts were, however, on Jon’s performance in the cage overall. For his 14th professional fight, what was your assessment?
It was awesome. A little timid at the end of the first when he had Rua in trouble, but he looked good.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Good article Snowden and spot on
By the way Lorenzo Fertitta tweeted
“lorenzofertitta Lorenzo Fertitta
Bones vs. Silva? Who wants it?
54 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply”
Michael Bisping - hahaha!
Every time I read a cynical BE article
And one that is overtly condescending and annoys me, I always look back up and read it was written by Jonathan Snowden. Without fail.
Cynical is their transparent attempts to compare Bones to Tyson. The people saying Rogan’s were “offhand” comments are way off base.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Cynical is someone trying to find a uniquely negative spin on Jones’ performance for an article and then making literally about 40-50 responses in the comments section trying to defend their story about what was legitimately a throwaway comment that most viewers didn’t even remember 15 minutes after the show (not to mention that implying that Jones was phased by being compared to the legend of a guy who fell from grace when Jones was all of four years old is downright silly, but that’s beside the point).
19 comments. This is 20. If you are going to use “literally” be literal. Most of those aren’t “defending” anything as most people agree with what I wrote.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Following this thread is like watching The Bachelor. You know it’s mindless fodder, but it’s so annoyingly fun!
by troutki on Mar 20, 2011 3:39 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I just gave a bachelor reference. No funeral…
by troutki on Mar 20, 2011 3:40 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
ugh...
This cynical schtick is getting tired
Don't see the need for this article.
It wasn’t brought up much and sure as hell didn’t matter to me when it was. Tyson was a phenomenon. That was an experience I can never forget. Jones doesn’t even come close. If MMA becomes mainstream maybe. But there was definitely no Tyson moment last night for me.
this is dumb on two levels one goldberge and two mma is not boxing
Um ok let’s wait a year and a half and see where Jones ranks on the star meter. P.s. mma is not boxing so don’t compare them.
"Cry in the dojo. Laugh on the battlefield"
by lawdawgfightcrew on Mar 20, 2011 4:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hai guise Michael Jordan was no Muhammed Ali uh derrrrrrrr
Why spend 6 paragraphs picking apart an offhand comment by the commentator when you just witnessed one of the most impressive performances of the year? Are you that envious of Joe Rogans job that you feel the need to pick apart everything he says?
Yep. When Rogan and I were in the green room trying out for that gig I was so sure it was mine. But when I was told the job included wearing that horrible Affliction shirt I had to give it up. Been regretting it ever since.
by Jonathan Snowden on Mar 20, 2011 7:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Did he give you the crazy eyes
like the end of the prelim show? I liked Dana’s lil wtf look he shot him. Rogan just looked high as a kite when the show started.
If you wanna throw down in fisticuffs, fine! I've got Jack Johnson and Tom O'Leary waitin' for ya...right here!
by ODBasyoucansee on Mar 20, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Of all your articles, why is this one getting so much outrage? Honestly, this was a comparatively fairly tame topic for you and your point was pretty well articulated, let alone accurate.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
Cant we all agree
That this Jon Jones comparison thing is getting a little out of hand? Weve never seen anyone like him, hes completely unique. But ive heard him compared to Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, GSP/Silva, even Tiger Woods on this site earlier. WTF? Lets just relax and enjoy the ride, people. Its gonna be fun.
If you wanna throw down in fisticuffs, fine! I've got Jack Johnson and Tom O'Leary waitin' for ya...right here!
by ODBasyoucansee on Mar 20, 2011 11:55 AM EDT reply actions
This Just In
Jon Jones is also not Dennis Rodman. Or Rush Limbaugh.
I love BE wif all my widdle heart
but sometimes the cynicism is through the roof…
to pick apart the quote of being a young Tyson is kinda “wow” to me
idk, I dont think when Goldie said that, anybody in the world really thought “OH HELL NO… Tyson was _______ <—[insert popularity contest reference]”
Its pretty common knowledge that on the levels of a Madison Square Garden, and Video Games … and all that … of course Tyson was an island in that respect
but at the same time I can also see how the quote can be interpreted as (IMO) it should have been
and that’s … simply put
Jon Jones seems to be this unstoppable world beater at a very young age … and not only walking through all comers, cant really see anybody putting up much a challenge in the immediate future…..MUCH Like Tyson.
I really doubt the majority of the people thought in terms of Pop Culture, or relevance in mainstream … or w/e
yup … Im certain it was the young ass kicker thing
oh crap
guess I shoulda read through the comments
I woulda just stayed zipped lipped
eh what can you do ??
for the record … Im not talking shit
just saying … (in what I thought) I was pointing out that I didnt think anybody really feels Jones is on the same level as Tyson in all facets or w/e
more like .. its easy to find the parallels and understand what he meant rather than looking at the other stuff
oh and I guess I meant Rogan in the last comment …
Troll Toll
Snowden is such a troll. What are you trying to accomplish here?
So Rogan made a comparison that you didn’t agree with. Why was there a need for an “article.” Do you think this “controversial” article is bringing new readers to the site? No, it’s simply pissing off regular readers and in some cases keeping them from coming back.
I’ve read a lot of good articles on this site, sometimes even Snowden’s (usually having to do with how great the old days of MMA were). But I really think that crap like this really brings down the integrity of this site, and the serious writers who want to talk about the MMA issues of today. Ban me if you see it necessary, I just had to make a point that I’m sure others agree with.
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