ONE FC welterweight champion Ben Askren and UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones certainly have their history.
The pair have sniped at each other for years over social media, but Jones’ recent failed drug test for cocaine metabolites has given Askren a new opening.
“Jon’s just a person that not a lot of people like,” Askren told ESPN’s MMA Live Extra. “I think lots of times he tries to act like this nice, humble guy but he’s really a douche and everyone knows that. Now it’s starting to come out and people are starting to realize it. He just needs to play him and stop faking who he is.”
Not accepting Jones’ indiscretion as a black eye on the sport, Askren says MMA shouldn’t take a hit because of one athlete’s ‘poor choice.’
“I don’t think it really has anything to say about the sport,” said Askren. “It’s an individual’s poor choices that led him to do that. It doesn’t say everyone in MMA is doing cocaine. Len Bias dies and no one put that on the NBA. We’ve had a lot of other things happen in other sports so I don’t think that says anything about the sport of MMA. I think it says a lot about Jon Jones’ poor choices.”
Turning to the subject of his new Roufusport stablemate CM Punk, Askren sounds to be warming up to the professional wrestler.
“He’s been in the gym,” said Askren. “He’s been a really hard worker. Very humble. It’s been a really good experience so far and I would expect that to continue.”
Askren was among the most vocal dissenters over the UFC signing a 36 year-old man with no competitive or combat sports background, but sounds more at peace having been around Punk.
“Obviously I was critical in the beginning,” said Askren. “When they signed him I said some critical things. I would say that was the UFC’s choice, a very interesting one at that, and you know what? After being around CM Punk, or Phil, for a while, I don’t think he has any illusions about how crazy it is that he’s going to fight the first fight ever in his life in the UFC, which is something a lot of people train a long time for.
“I think he understands the challenge he’s in for and he’s working hard to prepare the best he can.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Anthony Johnson, Alexander Gustafsson, Gegard Mousasi, Dan Henderson and Ryan Bader move forward following UFC on FOX 14.
‘Golden ticket.’ Daniel Cormier believes a win over Alexander Gustafsson is the best way for him to get another title shot at Jon Jones.
Monday Morning Analyst. Luke Thomas breaks down the techniques from UFC on FOX 14, the return of Giorgio Petrosyan to kickboxing, Mike Alvarado vs. Brandon Rios 3 and the European IBJJF championships.
‘He hasn’t talked much.’ Anderson Silva says his main event with Nick Diaz is ‘the best for martial arts.’ ‘Nick has the technique, I have my technique. It’s the same conditions.’
Shrewd move. Invicta FC books Cris Cyborg to fight in Los Angeles the night before Ronda Rousey takes on Cat Zingano at UFC 184.
Watch The MMA Hour with Daniel Cormier, Dominick Cruz, Makwan Amirkhani, Joanne Calderwood, Sara McMann, Thales Leites and Jake Matthews.
MEDIA STEW
Dan Hardy breaks down Nick Diaz vs. Anderson Silva.
UFC Countdowns for Kelvin Gastelum vs. Tyron Woodley and Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Lauzon.
Ultimate 8: Nick Diaz.
Anderson Silva talks fighting, family, life and more.
Trailer for Fabricio Werdum’s upcoming documentary.
TTTHS.
Makwan Amirkhani’s thug life.
Long watches.
Knuckle Up #381: the Gus Bust + Why Rumble-Jones Is Armageddon Gold
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Inside the Guard: UFC on Fox – Rumble vs. Gus
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Submission Radio 26/1/15 Royce Gracie, Chad Mendes, Jake Shields, Seth Petruzelli + UFC on Fox 14
TWEETS
Jones on Rumble.
Absolutely, we always stand with the scary ones “@Mikey_Sack: @JonnyBones you think you can stand up with rumble ?”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) January 27, 2015
Yeah I would say Anthony is younger, a bit more explosive, aggressive and a better kicker than rampage @monaMonah5
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) January 27, 2015
Idk but I would love to finish this one, it’s been 3 fights now “@jtmma3779: @JonnyBones what round do you see yourself finishing rumble”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) January 27, 2015
No not necessarily “@LoganJolliffe: @JonnyBones do you agree with the talk that rumble is the “hardest hitter” you have ever faced?”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) January 27, 2015
That head but was totally accidental but definitely didn’t help my boy Gus too much. @mmafan1982 @GokuPortgas
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) January 27, 2015
Blizzarding.
Blizzards won’t stop us. Christening of @wonderboymma at d1 wrestling practice. @hofstrapride #ufc184 http://t.co/1FwBf9IlLe
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) January 26, 2015
50-75mph winds and 3 feet of snow will not deter us. Just took off from Boston… 2 hours before the airport shuts down for 2 days. #ufc183
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) January 26, 2015
meanwhile…
So fun today, just swimming with a few dolphins pic.twitter.com/x4uPDYpFCq
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) January 26, 2015
Pretty cool.
Clipper Nation – The Champ is in the building. Let’s welcome Vai Cavalo @FabricioWerdum to STAPLES Center. pic.twitter.com/j14VQqURnC
— Los Angeles Clippers (@LAClippers) January 27, 2015
Congrats.
Big thanks to the New England #MMA community & to all of those who have helped me throughout my… http://t.co/etieNJ71oP
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 26, 2015
Congratulation to @Mike_Pyle on getting his BJJ black belt today!! @ufc @SyndicateMMA #supercoach
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) January 27, 2015
Thanks to @COBestMMAAwards I won #Colorado comeback fighter of the year. Thanks for all th… http://t.co/VSlh7upVv5 pic.twitter.com/iTV5MT9l8A
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) January 27, 2015
Hot girls.
Clarification on my remark about My upcoming fight. #chilloutpeople @ufc http://t.co/353yo9I4In
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) January 26, 2015
Beefin.’
Hey @johnlineker … Sorry I’m not sorry but sat night I’m going to hurt you.
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) January 26, 2015
@LukeBarnatt @KelvinGastelum I’m on Miami started already but turning it up next week!!
— Clint Hester (@clinthester) January 26, 2015
Redemption.
anyone but you @Sholler_UFC
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) January 27, 2015
@SaintMMA @Sholler_UFC @JonnyBones @danawhite @ufc @arielhelwani #TheShollershankRedemption pic.twitter.com/1j8x9IiVFE
— Ryan Reinero (@ryreinero) January 27, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 26 2015)
Jake Lindsey out, James Moontasri vs. Cody Pfister at UFC Fight Night: Thatch vs. Thompson
Cris Cyborg vs. Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 11
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Graham Douglas.
The case for a Johnson vs. Gustafsson rematch. It needs to happen, here’s why.
No disrespect to Johnson. If you are unaware, look up some footage of the headbutt. There is one thing that took Gustafsson down, and it’s the headbutt. Plain and simple.
Obviously Gustafsson didn’t recall a headbutt in his post fight comments. I’m sure most people disregarded a headbutt, including myself. I feel after seeing this replay, the breakdown of the fight changes drastically. How can you suggest it was a big shot that took down Gustafsson? For goodness sakes you can see his hair whipping back from the impact!
After seeing the replay of it, I feel very comfortable saying a rematch is the best answer. There wasn’t anything intentional, however when a fighter drops as a result of a headbutt and then in the same sequence is finished, what is a fair resolution?
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Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.