Here's the thing people forget... Jones is a Greg Jackson disciple, and like Greg's other fighters (look at GSP), they are methodical to their approach to the fight they're in, against the specific opponent they are fighting. They look to exploit their opponents weakness, and continue doing the (most of the time) one thing to their opponent to usually make it a long drawn out fight.
Where Jones benefited in the years past, is that a lot more fighters went after him in the fight, quite often playing right into finishes.... Nowadays (as the case of his last two fights) his opponents are more methodical in their approach to Jones. Jones game plan has been the same for years.... Either tie up his opponents hands (utilizing his long reach), then come over the top via elbow, OR use that teep to the knee/leg (with his long legs) and destroy an opponents base, leaving them susceptible to trips and/or throws where he can ground and pound to victory. Like I mentioned earlier, that plan worked best when guys ran at him, or went straight back in their movement. In Jones last two fights, Santos and Reyes were both good at utilizing lateral movement to set up their striking attacks, and force Jon to have to reposition his feet.
The last factor is something that
@Carbazel and
@MMAHAWK discussed in their podcast a few weeks back... Jones historically has struggled with guys who are similar body types to himself, and/or guys who are taller than him. I believe that Reyes height, body type, lateral movement, and the fact that he didn't rush Jon (playing into his game) is why Jon struggled so mightily in that fight, and also why his typical Jackson camp "point fight to win" approach, made him look worse as well. Jon is still an amazing athlete, and can still pull off highlight reel stuff if the opportunity presents itself...... That said, who knows also what the lasting effect of that steroid usage did to him.
well WAS undefeated until Santos and Reyes
