So what was the strategy behind not going for takedowns?
That doesn't make sense, though. If he feared the power that much, then he would take him down where that power is basically neutralized and he has a big advantage. I don't even remember him shooting for a takedown, so I think pretty clearly his plan was to stand with Santos.
Well, a lot of what Dana says is bull****, but that doesn't make Santos fans (or more likely Jones haters) right for saying the decision was bull****. It was a close fight.
Who knows why or why he didn't but one here said "props to Jones for not taking advantage of Santos" and now it's "He wanted to fight at Thiago's game"
There could be a lot of factors but i doubt squeezing out a split decision was his plan. Jones needed more help leaving the cage than santos, santos has more power, santos is both a black belt in Muay Thai(probably has good knees in a clinch) and BJJ.
Jones was SO comfortable on the feet apparently. Let's look at the stats:
Jones threw 287 strikes against Smith, 238 landed. He threw 90 at Santos, 59 landed.
Ray Longo(Coach of Iaquinta and others) suggested Jones looked flat and "maybe he's off the PEDs". I wouldn't speculate like that myself BUT his performance was lacking for sure.
If you REALLY think his plan is to beat people at their own game I'd love to see him beat Ngannou at his own game too.
Jones just didn't do enough and seemed reluctant to charge. A lot of the fight was in kicking range.
On an unrelated note, I also think the points Jones likely got for being the 'aggresor' and 'applying pressure/control' is bullshit.
While Santos landed slightly less he threw power shots and attempted nearly double the strikes. Seems like an odd thing to give someone credit for standing and not throwing. Either way, it wasn't a blowout either way. Shit happens. Jones is a supreme fighter and in a rematch he'd probably smoke Santos.