Tag: Jon Jones

UFC 135: Jon Jones vs Rampage Jackson Main Event Hinges on Doctor Approval

All signs point to Jon Jones defending his UFC light heavyweight title for the first time at UFC 135 in Denver on September 24.UFC president Dana White confirmed UFC 135’s date and location to MMAJunkie.com on Thursday following the press conference fo…

All signs point to Jon Jones defending his UFC light heavyweight title for the first time at UFC 135 in Denver on September 24.

UFC president Dana White confirmed UFC 135’s date and location to MMAJunkie.com on Thursday following the press conference for UFC 131.

White also stated that the main event fight, Jones versus Jackson, hinges on doctors giving the go ahead to Jon Jones, “Doctors have got to say his hand is OK, and he’s got to get in the gym and prove it,” White said.

Jones has not fought since taking the UFC title from Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128 in March. Jones dominated Rua throughout the fight, earning the victory via TKO at the 2:37 mark of Round 3.

After the fight it was revealed that Jones would meet Rashad Evans in his first title defense, but a hand injury led to that fight being scrapped. The injury also lead to a great deal of trash talk from Evans, setting up a future grudge match between the two fighters.

Jackson is coming off a three-round unanimous decision win over Matt Hamill at UFC 130. Following the fight Jackson revealed that he had fought with a damaged hand. The Nevada State Athletic Commission handed Jackson a six-month medical suspension following the fight. That suspension can be shortened with doctor approval.

It appears that Jacksons’ hand will be a non-issue in getting the Jones versus Jackson fight booked.

Jones’ manager told MMAJunkie, “His hand feels fine, so tomorrow it should be cleared.”

Jones has already begun trash talking his opponent as can be seen in the below video, where he offers his take on Rampage’s post-UFC 130 interview with MMA H.E.A.T reporter Karyn Bryant.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

12 Bold MMA Predictions for the Summer of 2011

This year’s NBA Draft is pretty slim in talent; there isn’t a ton of depth or potential star-power to be had, past the top two picks (and, to be honest, both of those guys are pretty shoddy). However, there are some players projected to be late-fi…

This year’s NBA Draft is pretty slim in talent; there isn’t a ton of depth or potential star-power to be had, past the top two picks (and, to be honest, both of those guys are pretty shoddy). 

However, there are some players projected to be late-first round, early-second round draft picks that could become gems if the smartest teams select them. 

These are usually players that didn’t get a ton of props because, despite whatever success they may have had, didn’t play in a Division I school; Additionally, these are also players on deep teams in college which saw them as the second-best player despite being crafty as a leader. 

Whatever the case, there are always a handful of these dudes in each draft. 

Here are ten of them in 2011. 

Enjoy. Click away.

Begin Slideshow

UFC News: Shogun Rua Has No "Excuses" for Loss Against Jon Jones; Wants Rematch

Since losing the UFC light heavyweight title to Jon Jones at UFC 128, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has been making some adjustments to his overall game. The Brazilian recently reunited with his former coach, Rafael Cordeiro, to train at Kings MMA in the Unite…

Since losing the UFC light heavyweight title to Jon Jones at UFC 128, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has been making some adjustments to his overall game. The Brazilian recently reunited with his former coach, Rafael Cordeiro, to train at Kings MMA in the United States. 

While the loss is only the fifth of his career, Rua recognized the mistakes in his bout with Jones and he credits the 23-year-old for the win.

“It’s difficult landing a hit on him and to close the distance,” Rua told Sensei Sportv, courtesy of FightersOnly.co.uk.

“He’s a young man who didn’t lose yet, he is well-rounded and very good in wrestling.”

At one time, Rua was considered by many to be the best light-heavyweight fighter in the world. However since debuting for the UFC in 2007, the Brazilian hasn’t quite lived up to fans’ expectations due to recurring injuries. 

Rua entered his bout with Jones after sustaining a knee injury that kept him out of action for nearly a year.

But after reflecting on his recent loss, “Shogun”  said he has understood the meaning behind the defeat and is motivated to meet the current champion again in the future.

“I don’t make excuses for my losses. Instead, I use them as motivation, as a mistake I made,” he said.

In hopes of reclaiming the title, Rua is slated to face Forrest Griffin this summer at UFC Rio. Griffin and Rua met previously at UFC 76; Griffin walked away with the win.

To avenge his loss from Griffin, Rua knows what’s fans will expect of him.

“They know I always look for the submission or knockout. I’m going to be all over him.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dana White and Jon Jones Showing off Their Acting Skills (COMMERCIAL)

Budlight produced a commercial to hype up their sponsored event with the UFC in New Orleans called Battle on the Bayou. The event is expected to be headlined by Alan Belcher vs. Jason McDonald, but.

Budlight produced a commercial to hype up their sponsored event with the UFC in New Orleans called Battle on the Bayou. The event is expected to be headlined by Alan Belcher vs. Jason McDonald, but outside of a cage, most casual fans wouldn’t recognize those two guys, so Budlight decided to cast two of the most recognizable faces in the UFC.

Jones seems like a natural with acting and delivering scripted lines on camera, maybe because he’s a fake ass white boy, but that’s not our opinion, we just heard that from someone. White is good with his head movement and expressions. Check it out below.

Dana White Says Jon Jones Expected to Headline UFC 135 in Denver

Filed under: UFC, NewsVANCOUVER, British Columbia — UFC president Dana White on Thursday said he expects light heavyweight champion Jon Jones to make his first title defense against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 135 in Denver, Colo. on September 24…

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia — UFC president Dana White on Thursday said he expects light heavyweight champion Jon Jones to make his first title defense against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 135 in Denver, Colo. on September 24.

“That is the date [Jones] will fight, assuming he’s healed,” White said.

White stipulated that Jones still needs to get his hand cleared by a doctor before he can be officially slotted in, but that could happen as early as Friday, barring any unforeseen medical problems.

Just last week Jones told MMA Junkie that Jackson would be his first challenger, but said he couldn’t discuss the date. White ended that speculation following the UFC 131 press conference, telling reporters that the organization is targeting Jones’ return for September 24.

Previously, Jones was expected to face former training partner Rashad Evans in his first title defense. But after pulling out of the bout amid claims that he needed surgery on an injured ligament in his hand, Evans was slotted for a fight with Phil Davis at UFC 133.

Recently, Jones’ management announced on Twitter that the champion doesn’t need surgery after all, clearing the way for a return to action in the fall. As long as doctors don’t see any problem with the hand now, Jones should be cleared to take on Jackson in Denver.

 

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UFC News: New York Unlikely to Pass Legislation Bill to Sanction MMA

Bleacher Report’s Mike Hodges:Despite the increasing amount of momentum built up, it appears the state of New York still refuses to sanction mixed martial arts. The NYDailyNews.com reports that Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver announced that the U…

Bleacher Report’s Mike Hodges:

Despite the increasing amount of momentum built up, it appears the state of New York still refuses to sanction mixed martial arts. 

The NYDailyNews.com reports that Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver announced that the UFC would not make its way into New York due to the lack of support behind the promotion. 

“There does not appear to be widespread support in the Assembly for this legislation,” Silver said. 

The recent announcement puts a damper onto the plans of potentially hosting an event, and does anything but create more exposure for the sport. The legislation bill recently passed the Assembly Tourism Committee, as well as the Senate, and it is expected to be go through the Assembly Codes Committee next week.

Regardless of Silver’s decision, there is still a growing support for MMA to be sanctioned by chamber members.

“Every other state seems to think this is a good idea,” Codes Committee Chairman Joseph Lentol said.

Click here to read the entire article.