Is Vladimir Matyushenko really the best fighter Jones has faced?

Jones seems to think so ;

Quote :

"I respect Vladimir a ton and I look at him as a huge step-up in competition and a huge test for me. I think he’s a great warrior and he’s everything when it comes to having a tough fight. He probably has some of the best wrestling credentials I ever fought against, he definitely has the best record I’ve ever gone against, and he’s the best fighter I ever fought. I think he’s better than Stephan Bonnar, better than Hamill, better than Brandon Vera. Technique wise and skill wise, I’m considering him the hardest fight I’ve had."

I think he may be the best ranked fighter he has faced, but does he really represent a "huge step up"? Hamill and Vera have good MMA wrestling, but not world class wrestling, where Matyushenko arguably does, at least in pedigree. And like Jones said, he does own the best record of any opponent Jones has faced thus far as well. But the sticking point against Matyushenko has to be his age and less than stellar striking pedigree. He isn't as rounded as Vera. I have always liked Vladimir Matyushenko but I am not sure he would be a favorite against Vera, or Hamill.

ill go with ya Janitor has some good wins and has been in there with alot of good fighters

You could make an argument that he's the best fighter Jones will have faced, but at the same time I give him less of a chance than I did Hamill or Vera

bobbitt15 wrote:

You could make an argument that he's the best fighter Jones will have faced, but at the same time I give him less of a chance than I did Hamill or Vera

I agree

I'd say Vera is the best he's faced so far, at one stage Vera was a heavyweight contender and lost a close decision to Couture last year.

Ali_1748 wrote:

I'd say Vera is the best he's faced so far, at one stage Vera was a heavyweight contender and lost a close decision to Couture last year.

agreed

Bonnar gave him fits too, but Vladi has the most experience and if he can pull out a win it put him up higher. Though I can't really see Matyushenko winning.

I dont think he is the best Bones fought. I think Hamill has alot of potential to be very good and Bonnar is also a good fighter but Vera is the best he has fought already and after Vlad Vera will still be the best.

Jones did nothing but pull off Street Fighter arcade moves against Bonnar until he got tired in the last round. There was no threat there

I have Matyushenko as the best fighter, and biggest threat to Jones.

However I don't see it as a huge step up, Hamill and Vera are close to Matyushenko. And I'd be shocked if Jones lost this.

He's dominated each so one sidedly that it doesn't matter. There is obviously a giant gap between him and that group.

Hamill and Vera are both better. At this point i'd rank Janitor with an in shape O'Brien who is no slouch...the efficiency is extremely impressive.

Ur absolutely right Wolf.