UFC 197 - Jon Jones vs Ovince Saint Preux: Bones returns

This weekend Jon Jones returns to action at UFC 197. Here UFC welterweight and commentator Dan Hardy looks ahead to Jones' quest for the Interim Title against Ovince Saint Preux

(Getty)

The injury fairy struck again ahead of this weekend's fight card, rendering light-heavyweight title holder, Daniel Cormier, unable to compete due to a foot injury. This put the long awaited rematch between DC and the former champion, Jon Jones, on hold.

Cormier's replacement is an exciting rising prospect - Ovince Saint Preux - currently ranked sixth in the division. The winner of the bout will claim the interim title and will have a guaranteed shot at Cormier upon his return.

Jones is returning to action after over a year away from the Octagon. After making some poor life choices he found himself stripped of his title. His road back to competition begins here and - love him or hate him - everyone wants to see him back in action. He is just that good.

Jones' direct path back to the title has not worked out though, and his new opponent could be a tough hurdle to jump. Standing just an inch shorter than Jones, Saint Preux can be just as imposing. He already mentioned in an interview that his camp feel that Jones struggles with people his own size, and OSP is very good at fighting to the extremity of his reach. He is as quick as Jones, and has just as many natural talents as the former champion. If he lacks anything it would be the arsenal that Jon Jones brings to the table.

Ovince Saint Preux kicks Patrick Cummins (Getty)

There is no doubt that the options for a finish are stacked in Jones’ favour. With a multitude of striking attacks, throughout every range, he can beat the best of kick-boxers at their own game. Moving at distance and chopping opponents down with kicks, to elbows and knees in the clinch, and a comprehensive skill set in wrestling which opens up a variety of submissions.

With Saint Preux it will undoubtedly be the left hand, in one form or another. He is an able wrestler who gets away with a lot due to his athleticism. He does have submission skills but hasn’t demonstrated them against anyone with a notable level of grappling prowess. What he does have, though, is ‘the leveller’. That one ace card that can trump everything with the perfect timing and correct placement of a single strike.

It’s a leveller because it evens the playing field between two fighters of different skill levels. As GSP would tell you after the Matt Serra fight, anyone who possesses a natural ability to hit hard, can take the victory at any moment. Saint Preux has dynamite in his left hand, whether it's on the feet, at an awkward angle, moving backwards, or in closed guard, punching through the defence of the prone opponent. That is the X-factor that can steal the show.

The months away from competition can go one of two ways for the returning pound-for-pound great. Jones has either invested the time well and spent a lot of it in the gym, or he has lost focus and become distracted with other challenges in his life. Saint Preux could be a real ‘banana skin’ in this situation, and the fans are divided about what the former champion will look like in his return. This will be a good test to see if he is truly ready for the rematch with Cormier.

In the co-main event, the human embodiment of consistency, Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson, defends his flyweight title one more time against another highly touted contender. This time he will face an Olympic gold medalist with an undefeated ten-fight record. Henry Cejudo has looked unstoppable since his UFC debut. We have also seen him embrace the striking game better than any other cross-over athlete we have seen in the Octagon.

All four of Cejudo's wins since signing with the organisation have been dominant displays of skill, by a well rounded martial artist. His hand speed is impressive, as is the fluidity of his combinations, utilising a variety of kicks and punches to back opponents up. It is possible that he can contend with Johnson on the feet, but I also believe it is possible for Johnson to test Cejudo’s takedown defence.

Cejudo's wrestling has always prevailed in fights, and the game has to be adapted when you have the addition of striking. Johnson is great at interrupting an attack with a well-timed takedown, and Cejudo has a very aggressive game. One takedown could make him very hesitant and as the five round fight plays out, Johnson will start to chip away. Cejudo needs to push early and get a lead......but that's easier said than done against the fastest fighter in the UFC.

Watch UFC 197: Jones vs. Saint Preux live on BT Sport from 1am BST on Sunday morning or catch the Early Prelims from 11:30pm on Saturday, live on UFC Fight Pass