Upcoming UFC light heavyweight title challenger Chael Sonnen is just one month away from his title fight with Jon Jones, so it goes without saying he’s going to make some bold predictions about the fight.
In a pre-fight interview with UFC.com, “The American Gangster” made it clear that he isn’t concerned with the champion’s wrestling credentials or takedown defense in this matchup.
“I’m the best MMA wrestler in the world. I can take Jon Jones down anytime I want to. I’m a two-time National Champion, I got a silver medal from the World Championships…that says I can take Jon Jones down. He’s never had an experience like this…there’s a reason he said no the first time.”
There is no disputing that Sonnen has some of the best wrestling credentials of any active MMA fighter today.
Prior to entering the cage, he was a two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Oregon and won a silver medal at the World University Championships for men’s Greco-Roman wrestling in 2000.
Those skills transferred over well into the Octagon, as the Team Quest product has a double leg takedown that’s second to none.
Of course, that all may mean nothing when he squares off with “Bones,” a former NJCAA wrestling champ who has never been taken down inside the cage.
Jones, who enters this title fight on the strength of eight straight wins, four of which being successful title defense, dominated other accomplished wrestlers in Ryan Bader and Rashad Evans when he faced them.
Despite also defeating former title holders in Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort, Sonnen remains unimpressed.
“He’s never been in there with a gangster before. He’s been in there with a bunch of little boys who were scared of him.”
Sonnen enters the bout on winning five of his past seven fights, with both losses coming at the hands of UFC middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva.
Can Sonnen’s non-stop pressure and takedowns be enough to stop Jones, or will April 27 be another easy title defense for the champion?
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