Dan Henderson isn’t a big fan of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Embroiled in the collateral damage of the beef between Jones and then No. 1 contender Daniel Cormier, Henderson was its biggest loser.
In return for being flung around the Octagon for three rounds before being choked unconscious by Cormier at UFC 173, Henderson was dismissed as a ’50-60 year-old’ man by Jones as he attacked his challenger’s resume ahead of UFC 182.
Then, there was the whole ‘Jones Jones going to rehab after testing positive for cocaine metabolites’ thing.
Henderson said in January that he didn’t have much respect for Jones as a person and it doesn’t sound like that opinion has changed.
“Personally, Jon Jones … I’m an advocate of MMA and representing the sport well and when you don’t do that that’s when I’m not really a big fan of you,” Henderson told Rick Lee. “Jon, as being young or whatever it was, made some poor decisions. When he’s in the spotlight of the UFC champ you’re subject to higher standards.
“You need to follow through with that for yourself. At least make sure that you’re doing everything to publicly portray the UFC and the sport well. When you don’t do that, that’s when I have a problem.”
Admitting Jones to having been ‘a bit of a handful’ throughout his career, UFC president Dana White was largely supportive of Jones as he entered treatment.
When Jones was criticized for leaving rehab after only 24 hours, White defended him saying ‘the truth will come out.’
When the truth came out that Jones did, in fact, leave rehab after only a day, White made an appearance on The Jim Rome Show to explain that Jones had passed a ’24-hour evaluation’ and that he was ‘doing out-patient counseling.’
On Jan. 17 Jones was fined $25,000 by the UFC for violating the organization’s Athlete Code of Conduct policy. He was never suspended.
“Yea, I think there should have been much higher consequences for that,” said Henderson. “It doesn’t teach anyone a lesson. It doesn’t have the fans and public respect the UFC when they don’t lay the hammer down a little bit. The UFC can still get behind him and push him to “clean up,” but there still needed to be some sort of reprimand, also.
“Not just a little, ‘Hey, we’re behind you all the way. We’re glad you’re getting help. We’re glad you went to rehab for 10 hours or four hours’ or whatever it was. That’s all it was. I think there could have been more.”
Jones will defend his title to Anthony Johnson May 23 at UFC 187 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Not so fast. After the UFC announced he’d be fighting Matt Brown, Nate Diaz says he planned to meet with the promotion on Monday to get his next fight ‘figured out.’ ‘I thought I was fighting Anthony Pettis next. He’s trying to fight me and I’m trying to fight him.’
Whoops. After the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) announced earlier this week that all fighters who competed at the UFC Fight Night 62 event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil tested clean for banned substances it seems a ‘communication error’ led to Jorge Oliveira’s positive test for stanozolol not being reported.
Predictions. Luke Thomas makes his picks for Bellator 136.
‘It was crazy.’ Jose Aldo’s interpreter Saul Almeida gives his perspective on the UFC 189 world tour. ‘When somebody is yelling, ‘Hey Aldo, I got something for you…you’re a b*tch, you’re a p*ssy,’ I’m not going to turn to him and tell him that.’
10 years later. Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar reminisce about TUF 1, their ER visit, their ill-fated rematch and Viagra.
MEDIA STEW
What to watch at Bellator 136.
Urijah Faber breaks down Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor.
Shawne Merriman wants to beat up CM Punk.
Inside MMA’s Friday Finishes.
Justin Buchholz made an MMA fight scene.
Free fight: Paige VanZant vs Kailin Curran … in Spanish.
Long watches.
Mentality of Combat Sports – UFC World Tour: Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo and More
…
The MMA Road Show with John Morgan – Episode 2 – Krakow
…
TWEETS
Damn.
Damn 6 outta 7 Days? I’m impressed lol you just might beat me 6 outta 7 day’s but that’s fine cuz I can end your Life and career in 1
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) April 9, 2015
Take your word for it.
#nuffsaid https://t.co/Ba6nbbJMj4
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 9, 2015
B&N.
Thank you @BNBuzz for being in my corner since day one – preorder #MyFightYourFight here http://t.co/TSV08KehMB
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) April 9, 2015
Congrats.
Ten years ago today @GregJacksonMMA @ChrisLuttrell_1 cornered me to the biggest & most dominant victory of my career #tuf1 #burquenos
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) April 9, 2015
I actually always wanted to see something like this happen in my life. In my home state, to be… https://t.co/3qj7aFbO6C
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 9, 2015
Picture of me when 12 year old wearing @Reebok all my dreams come true @BrochuKevin @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc pic.twitter.com/huCexRsPkh
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) April 9, 2015
Get well soon.
Freezing my knee, keeping the recovery up||—>>>Congelando meu joelho, mantendo o foco na… https://t.co/bTxDo9VIEo
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) April 9, 2015
Taking care of the injury. Can’t wait to be back on the mat. Praying to be able to do what I love soon. pic.twitter.com/VMjdHJYh8N
— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) April 9, 2015
No.
This is safe right?? #rvlife pic.twitter.com/8VkgBni80N
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) April 10, 2015
Cuttin’.
Weight on point ….. Let’s do this #teampb1 #lionseatfirst #ufckrakow https://t.co/c2sZuQf2TN
— jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) April 10, 2015
Weight’s done. Ready for tomorrow @BellatorMMA fight. Thank all my sponsors @InvictusBros @MantoFight @kubamanto pic.twitter.com/68IeKEODgU
— Marcin Held (@MarcinHeld) April 10, 2015
I just had “last supper” if you fight and cut weight you know what that means #BlameBiggie
— Michael (@TeamRocBiggie) April 9, 2015
Hwy @BrendanSchaub I’m making my journey to 205 also! Haha pic.twitter.com/jKHpWTUnSy
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 10, 2015
This Week in Struggle.
Another fail by me today lol
Posted by Georges St-Pierre on Thursday, April 9, 2015
This is how I chill, after a long #MMA day preparing for #UFC187 pic.twitter.com/n48Sn5c3Go
— Andrei Arlovski (@AndreiArlovski) April 10, 2015
#tbt this one time at jiu jitsu camp i accidently ripped a knee in half…wanna know what that sounds… https://t.co/qwpkNjjeKD
— Angela Magana UFC (@AngelaMagana1) April 10, 2015
“@Saints: @Sholler_UFC @ProFootballTalk we don’t have the cap space to sign @dc_mma” too bad I’m a great fit with amazing leg lol.#linedrive
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 9, 2015
Getting my miles in… @izzystylewrestling “Supervising” https://t.co/FltvM7t9CE pic.twitter.com/1YC45MqnGx
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 9, 2015
I just had an experience in Walmart so bad that it felt like a scene from a movie.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) April 8, 2015
Dude sends creepy fb message. 2 mins later follows up demanding response. 3 mins later expresses concern over my well being cuz no response
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) April 8, 2015
Come on @seanshelby help me out another kid on the way next week need Excuse to get out of the house
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) April 8, 2015
Well you get what you pay for! I dont think I’ve ever sat this close to the seat in front of me. #SHM #SpiritAirlines pic.twitter.com/6Wr6vbZit7
— heatherjoclark (@heatherjoclark) April 8, 2015
I don’t have many regrets in life but having a baby mama is one. Kids don’t make baby mamas, get a wife you don’t want moody a** baby mamas
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 8, 2015
Sure would be nice to have the $ I earned.
— Jake Heun (@JakeHeun) April 5, 2015
#thestruggle #ufc186 https://t.co/DglCXrKIkW
— Valerie Letourneau (@ValTroubleMMA) April 10, 2015
So …my neighbors thought it was cute to have a pond in the front yard, but lo and behold when it… https://t.co/7nJ80oZD3e
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) April 7, 2015
Jus when you think life is unfair… Jus remember d Your moms meth dealer was found hung. So in a way its kind of a good day. #truestory
— DaMarques Johnson (@DaMarques_UFC) April 8, 2015
Omg is anyone watching xfactor I’m going to go jump off the balcony and kill myself no more bleessse oh bleessse
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) April 6, 2015
Splashed water on my grey sweats, AGAIN! Now I’m chilling in the CalFit bathroom waiting for it to dry b4 I lift.
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) April 9, 2015
Internet died at office so I came home to work, only to find trash guys had knocked over my recycling & left it strewn all over my lawn.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) April 6, 2015
Not sure if inhaling a dozen oysters and an acorn squash at the Houston airport before a 10hr flight to Brazil was a wise choice. We’ll see
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) April 6, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (April 9 2015)
Ronny Markes out, Dave Branch vs. Jesse McElligott at WSOF 20
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via jaywolf1.
Masvidal-Iaquinta decision shows why ONE FC’s judging criteria is superior for MMA.
By now you’ve seen the Jorge Masvidal vs. Al Iaquinta fight that led to the most hilarious (and probably embarrassing for UFC) post fight interview of all time.
Almost everybody who watched agreed that Masvidal won, except for the inept judges.
The judging incompetence and outdated 10 pt. must scoring system are to blame.
Dave Meltzer agrees in his excellent article, and suggests adding half-points.
HOWEVER, the problem is actually the 10 pt. scoring system ITSELF, because it’s a system that’s made for BOXING, not MMA.
What UFC truly needs is a scoring system tailored for MMA itself…
…and that scoring system already exists my friends, in the epic ONE FC (my personal favorite MMA promotion)
ONE FC’s superior judging criteria is tailored specifically to MMA, like how it should be. If you’ve watched a ONE FC event, then you know, and if you haven’t, well then this is just one more reason why you need to tune in.
…
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.