Comparing anyone to UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell seems unfair, but ‘Iceman’ trainer John Hackleman can’t help himself. With star pupil Glover Teixeira set to face light heavyweight champion Jon Jones next month at UFC 172, Hackleman says the champ has a ways to go before earning the love of the people.
Speaking with Submission Radio (via The Underground), Hackleman isn’t impressed with talk of Jones looking down the road at future challenges.
“I don’t really pay attention to who’s overlooking who, but if he’s doing that, that’s kind of rude and kind of a slap in the face to Glover and it’s pretty disrespectful and if he is really doing that,” says Hackleman. “If the fans are doing that then whatever, that’s fans, but if Jon Jones is really doing that which I don’t think he really is, then to me that’s just disrespectful and rude and that’s maybe why, you know, people don’t love him like they did Chuck.”
“Chuck would never have done that. Chuck always looked at his next opponent as the biggest opponent he has. He was never, ‘Well, I’ll get past this guy, I’ll worry about this guy. He never would do that.”
Should Teixeira claim Jones’ title, Hackleman would expect him to closely resemble his mentor.
“[Teixeira] would be the same as Chuck. Chuck was just like, ‘Oh hey I guess I’ll fight you next.’ He wouldn’t pick. I don’t know if that’s the way [Jones’] camp is.
“Chuck was a fighter and Glover’s a fighter. They go to the gym everyday. They love to train. They love to fight. They love martial arts. They respect their opponent. They have discipline. They have courtesy to everyone. Never turned down an autograph. Never disrespect an opponent. Never prance around when their opponent’s knocked out. Always make sure their opponents were OK. I mean, they’re warriors. That’s the way my guys are going to be. I don’t know if that’s the way Jon Jones is or not, but if he’s not, that’s why the fans don’t love him like they do Chuck.”
The former light heavyweight champion’s title run lasted just two years, but seemed like an era. Just recently celebrating his third year as a champion, Jones remains one of the more polarizing figures in MMA.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Cyborg. Does losing a decision in a Muay Thai fight affect the MMA career of Cristiane Justino?
‘Leave the guy alone.’ WSOF president Ray Sefo says any talk of Rousimar Palhares holding his submission Saturday night is overblown.
Rampage. Quinton Jackson talks the highs and lows of his first year in Bellator.
Comeback. Chuck Mindenhall’s profiles Scott Smith as the UFC veteran fights an ongoing battle with alcoholism.
Four horsewomen. Does Ronda Rousey’s crew measure up?
MEDIA STEW
Highlights from WSOF 9.
Jorina Baars defeats Cris Cyborg at Lion Fight 14. (full fight here)
Eddie Bravo vs. Royler Gracie II at Metamoris 3.
Highlights from EFC 28, including that awful non-stoppage.
Fight night with Miesha Tate.
Brutal KO from XFC International 3. Read more in Guilherme Cruz’ Brazilian MMA recap.
Long watches.
UFC Cutman – Jacob “Stitch” Duran | London Real
WSOF 9- Carl vs. Palhares full post fight press conference
FULL TTTHS EPISODE 99 COMPILATION!!!
TWEETS
About that title shot.
Because of my injury sustained at UFC 170 (fractured rib) I could NOT take the fight for the title against Barão May 24 UFC 173 I am Sorry!
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) March 28, 2014
Good to hear.
finally 100% again but I still tape it “@derekgeorge87: @JonnyBones how’s the toe? I’ll never get that image out of my head.”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 31, 2014
Predictions?
If u haven’t heard UFC 173 is now Renan Barao vs TJ Dillashaw and we also added Lawler vs Ellenberger!!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) March 29, 2014
And I have more good news coming…
— Dana White (@danawhite) March 29, 2014
The sub.
@SugarRaySefo I wouldn’t have tapped to anything less @ToquinhoMMA did his job perfectly! #GroundWizard #champion
— Steve Carl (@Steve_Carl) March 30, 2014
Deep respect for @Steve_Carl he is a true warrior, a really tough fighter with a world high level game #Respect http://t.co/WAvHVhIWba
— Rousimar Palhares (@ToquinhoMMA) March 30, 2014
Get well soon.
All laid up… But the view ain’t bad 🙂 http://t.co/Pxb60oLROP
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) March 30, 2014
These two.
My face when @TheNotoriousMMA fights a top 10 guy and gets KOed @ufc pic.twitter.com/M263W355Fu
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) March 28, 2014
@CubSwanson @ufc My face when the entire top 10 have been killed. pic.twitter.com/acuBlgdUB8
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 28, 2014
@TheNotoriousMMA @ufc 😂 Your so funny #clown
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) March 28, 2014
Nice.
@DiegoSanchezUFC back at u! Let’s put a show on for the fans 👊
— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) March 28, 2014
She’s everywhere.
“@robertliefeld: Nice ad for Under Armour @ginacarano the kids were super impressed!! pic.twitter.com/pUdb9MaiX7” ?? thanks Liefeld family.
— Gina Carano (@ginacarano) March 30, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Mar. 28-30 2014)
cancelled Jake Ellenberger vs. Tarec Saffiedine at UFC 172
Jake Ellenberger vs. Robbie Lawler at UFC 173
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Francisco Rivera at UFC 173
Francis Carmont vs. C.B. Dollaway at UFC Fight Night: Munoz vs. Mousasi
Ross Pearson vs. Diego Sanchez at UFC Fight Night: Albuquerque
Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch at WSOF 11
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via watercoolermma.com.
Interview With Women’s MMA Prospect Maegan Goodwin
If mixed martial arts can still accurately lay claim to the title of The Fastest Growing Sport in the World, then the introduction/expansion of Women’s MMA is the catalyst for its continued growth. The inclusion of WMMA in larger promotions like Bellator and Strikeforce helped the sport gain legitimacy, while its recent addition to the UFC has led to a previously unfathomable level of success and popularity.
The story of WMMA has been one of superstar brand-building and marquee fights. Gina Carano, Cristiane Santos, Ronday Rousey – these are all pioneers for a subsection of a 20 year old sport with an even younger history of female competitors. On August 15th 2009, Stirkeforce put on the first major WMMA Main Event, a Women’s Featherweight Championship bout between Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg. When Cyborg finished the fight via TKO with just one second left in the first round, she became the first ever female champion in a major MMA promotion. When Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche headlined UFC 157, female fighters had finally reached the peak of MMA’s largest stage, and on February 23rd 2013, the world had its first and only Women’s UFC Champion, launching Ronda Rousey into superstardom with the future of the sport, in many ways, resting on her shoulders.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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