• UFC 135

Jon Jones finishes Rampage on his feet - Rashad

Jon Jones' stand-up skills are good enough to take care of Rampage Jackson at UFC 135, according to Rashad Evans © Getty Images

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Rashad Evans does not see a way for Rampage Jackson to win the light-heavyweight belt at UFC 135 this weekend, insisting Jon Jones can beat the former champion standing.

Jackson has built a formidable career on the power he can generate out of both fists, not to mention an underrated wrestling offence, which features a particularly chilling slam. However, against Jones this weekend it is widely predicted that Rampage's only chance rests in his punching power, with Jones possessing freakish strength in the grappling realm.

It seems even Jackson acknowledges the fact that he needs to keep the fight standing, imploring Jones to turn on a show when stating back in July that he was "bored" of fighters who "just want to take me down and wrestle". More recently Jackson has made the bold claim that Jones possesses no power, insisting he can walk through the best the champion has to offer.

The reality, in Evans' eyes, is that Jones may have a harder time than people think in getting Rampage to the mat, speaking from his own experience of fighting against the veteran. However, he does not believe that will be a problem for Jones, because he expects the champion to dominate the stand-up with his 84in reach.

"One thing I experienced with Rampage, he has a very strong core," Evans told MMA Interviews. "Jon may take him down if he uses his leverage and a lot of his judo, I think that's probably how he's going to get him down.

"But if he just tries to shoot in on him, Rampage may be pretty tough to take down off just a shot.

"I think that Jon Jones uses his range and his speed to keep Rampage off balance and at the same time using his ability to take Rampage down to try to impose some of his will. I think Jon tries to get it done, I think he does it standing up."

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