The War of the Prospects: Jon Jones vs. Muhammed Lawal

In the world of MMA, you have a plethora of talent, and some of that lot comprises of a special group of fighters.

They're the type of fighters that you know are special, even if you don't know why at first.

It's either an insane use of a stand-up discipline, an explosive takedown game, or sometimes even an unblemished record that means promise for these types of fighters.

In every circle of MMA, they call them "The Prospects".

Now to clarify on a statement made earlier, an undefeated streak isn't necessary to be considered a prospect.

Case in point: the UFC Light Heavyweight Division's Most Valuable Prospect, Jon "Bones" Jones.

The man is not even in his late twenties, yet he's already beaten guys like Stephan Bonnar and Brandon Vera, and before the fight with Matt Hamill ended the way it did, people were certain that Jones would add Hamill's name to the list.

For those who don't know what Bones is capable of, he's a Greco-Roman wrestler and Muay Thai fighter with some Judo in the mix.

Spinning backfists, elbow strikes, German suplexes—You name it, and Jones has done it in at least one of his eleven pro fights.

He's one of the best strikers in the UFC today, and he's also one of MMA's most dangerous fighters.

The possibilities for dream fights involving Jones are endless, but you'd have to think about it for a second:

How do you stop the fight from being a stand-up scrap with a striker as unpredictable as Jones?

You bring in a tough wrestler that can explode with his takedowns.

Thing is, Matt Hamill has already faced Jones, and although Hamill can be explosive, he was nearly finished by Jones in their fight.

It'll take more than just a sick wrestling game to take Jones out of his element, even if it's for about two minutes of the fight.

Enter Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal.

The undefeated Freestyle Wrestler and current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion isn't just a wrestler, and contrary to his entrance apparel, Lawal is not a flashy fighter.

Boxers aren't as flashy as you think.

Not even Floyd Mayweather is a flashy boxer.

It's all just in the apparel.

Of course, Lawal is only seven fights into his career—granted, they were all decisive wins, but they're only seven nonetheless.

That being said, only one fight besides his win over Gegard Mousasi was a fight that went the distance.

You wouldn't think Lawal has good stand-up in seven pro MMA fights, but he's got some striking power. And while takedowns may seem like Lawal's best option at times, he can strike without getting into much trouble.

Such could be the case if Jones throws a spinning strike at Lawal because, the way I see it, Lawal can hit him with a body shot or dodge the strike altogether and shoot for the takedown without having to worry about getting kneed.

If Jones does throw a flying knee at Lawal—which I've never really seen him do, but I don't doubt that he would—then that's when Lawal may need a speed advantage.

I think he might actually have the speed disadvantage in the fight, but I could be proven wrong.

On paper, Jones might have the edge on speed, though the reach advantage would be a definite favor for Jones.

And let's not sell Jones short on the takedowns either.

Who knows who'd come out victorious if King Mo faced Bones in the cage?

None of us know exactly what would happen, but it could happen.

Jon Jones or Muhammed Lawal...

Who will you choose?