Magnanimous at times, seemingly petty at others, we’re still trying to sort out who UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones really is. Chuck Mindenhall asked that very question prior to Jones’ recent title defense at UFC 172, but no one’s been able to nail down his complex persona. Jones, who was incredibly complimentary of Glover Teixeira following their bout Saturday night, doesn’t seem to share those feelings for UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell and fellow 205 pounder Phil Davis.
A former training partner of Teixeira, Liddell spent much of last week trying to explain a perceived superiority to Jones, going as far as saying he’d be interested in fighting the champion ‘as long as Dana White approved.’ With a caption reading ‘Talking all that trash before the fight.. you mad bro?’ Jones posted an image of a despondent Liddell taken moments after Saturday night’s main event.
As for Davis, Jones posted a short lowlight of ‘Mr. Wonderful’s’ underwhelming upset loss to now No. 5 ranked Anthony Johnson. Davis’ incessant badgering of Jones was on full display fight week, constantly insinuating that the champion would pull a last-minute withdrawal.
Leading up to Apr. 26, our very own even Ariel Helwani pleaded with Jones to ‘go total heel,’ turning his back on the Baltimore fans by entering the arena sporting a jersey of the hated Indianapolis Colts. Jones took the highroad, even chalking up the comments from Liddell and Davis as nothing more than ‘the cost of being the boss.’
Striding both sides of the line, Jones’ struggle to maintain his incorruptible image is becoming uncomfortable, especially when he excels so naturally in the other direction. So Jon, please, come to the dark side.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Not impressed. Alexander Gustafsson says Jon Jones didn’t perform up to his standard at UFC 172. ‘We used to see spectacular things with Jon Jones when he fights.’
TRT. Dan Henderson downplays the impact of going off the treatment ahead of his UFC 173 bout with Daniel Cormier. ‘There are some things out there, but even some natural supplements are banned as well, so it’s a matter of finding something that has everything that’s legal rather than everything but one thing.’
Waiting. Barring a loss at UFC 173, Daniel Cormier says he’ll wait however long it takes to get his title shot. ‘If it took nine months, I’d wait nine months. It’s time for me to fight for the belt.’
Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer gives us a look at how fortunes changed Saturday night for Jon Jones, Anthony Johnson, Luke Rockhold, Jim Miller, Joseph Benavidez.
Fight Week. The first in a multi-part series chronicling UFC 172 fight week with Jim Miller.
It’s Tuesday, so make sure to check out The MMA Hour featuring Alexander Gustafsson, Dan Henderson, Daniel Cormier, Joanne Calderwood, Brian Stann, Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski.
MEDIA STEW
Imagining a world of no UFC with Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.
Dana White’s scrum from Monday’s TUF 20 tryouts.
Jones is a Beyonce man.
Jimi Manuwa isn’t too upset about losing to ‘the best in the world’ in Alexander Gustafsson.
Someone compiled a highlight of great Nick Diaz moments, including Karate chopping a watermelon and punching a fan.
Scary head kick KO.
Long watches.
Co-Main Event Podcast Episode 101 (4/28/14)
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Knuckle Up #420: No celebrating in Mudville tonight as Jon Jones readies for his Waterloo + UFC 172
TWEETS
Browne speaks.
Thank you guys for the support!! I’ll be back as soon as I’m all healed up. Learned a lot about myself… http://t.co/pNWyvlU3kU
— Travis Browne (@travisbrowneMMA) April 28, 2014
Glover, too.
Obrigado Deus Por Tudo http://t.co/dPCzXYkD1T
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) April 28, 2014
Go back to your shanties, people.
Was in twitter earlier and saw so called fans of Phil bashing him saying “You let me down” imo that’s wrong and… http://t.co/efGf1hEZ9J
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) April 28, 2014
Pls no more photoshopped pix of Brenneman. He deserves more respect than that! He put it on the line in front of millions. #Respect #UFCvet
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) April 28, 2014
This again.
@FataL_Tito fuck that shit!!! I’m straight up about that, Tito would kill me in a grappling/MMA fight. I will Box Tito and win EASILY.
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 28, 2014
Woodley, the bully.
@FightersOnly when did I say id love to fight @matthughes9x ? Lol he is our liaison for the @ufc and retired? #Weird
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) April 28, 2014
Why is @TWooodley trying to bully me into a fight? Sorry kid but I’m retired….i@FightersOnly @ufc
— Matt Hughes (@matthughes9x) April 28, 2014
Optimus Damn Prime.
Out here with the Champ @johnyHendricks and his little truck about to hit the Rangers A’s game…. http://t.co/v2gTk6EmN4
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) April 28, 2014
Possible tryout?
Been gr8 having @MartinKampmann as a guest coach out here @TeamAlphaMale @UrijahsUltFit Full day of Kampmann knowledge tomorrow. Good stuff
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) April 28, 2014
The real GoPro.
Run on the beach while being followed by a camera on a helicopter. Pretty cool ! http://t.co/yM7ewPkWre
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) April 28, 2014
Return of the dummy.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Apr. 28 2014)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Graham Douglas.
Injuries in MMA. Full disclosure should be mandatory immediately following a fight.
Here is what I don’t like. I don’t like see match like Werdum had, only to find out that his opponent had a cracked/broken rib in the first round. What I don’t like is that in round 1, Glover suffered some type of shoulder injury. Both tarnish the victories in a small or big way depending on your perspective. Wins for sure, but worthy of calling performances of a lifetime?
I simply want to know. Fans should know, Dana should know and the media should know. It shouldn’t be some secret. If it’s kept secret, then talking heads end up sounding like idiots afterwards. Heaping on praise when perhaps it’s overstated. If you beat the crap out of a one armed opponent, is that a greatest performance of all time?
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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