Brandon Vera vs Jon Jones Fight Prediction – UFC on Versus 1

BRANDON VERA vs. JON JONES

Fight Overview:  Brandon Vera will look to rebound from him controversial decision loss to Randy Couture against Jon "Bones" Jones, a man whose career has been compared to Vera's early UFC work.  Jones has looked like a future champion, but Vera is a big step up for him, so this is an interesting fight for Jones' immediate future.

Jones' Strengths:  Jones is big, strong, athletic, has great wrestling, great punching power, and great judo throws.

Jones' Weaknesses:  Jones is a little bit prone to wildness, both in punching and in the pace he fights at.  He has also never faced anyone who could really test his striking, or anyone of Vera's caliber at all.

Vera's Strengths:  Vera has top-level Muay Thai, good takedown defense, especially from the clinch, and very underrated jiu-jitsu.

Vera's Weaknesses:  Vera has appeared disinterested during a few of his fights, and is not a very physically strong fighter.

The Verdict:  Jones is incredible, but Vera is a really bad stylistic matchup for him.  Jones has more punching power, but Vera is the vastly superior striker, technically, and in the clinch Vera has proven that he can avoid being taken down and do a lot of damage.  Expect Jones to have explosions of offense, but Vera will control the majority of this fight and rough Jones up for a unanimous decision.

Fight Prediction:  Brandon Vera by unanimous decision.