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Daniel Cormier: The First Real Threat to Jon Jones’ Title Reign

Daniel Cormier is set to debut for the UFC after a lengthy wait. On April 20, he will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir at UFC on Fox 7. However, that is not the fight most are looking forward to. After winning his fight at the final St…

After winning his fight at the final Strikeforce event, Cormier took to the microphone and made it clear that after he gets past Mir, he wants Jon Jones and the UFC light heavyweight championship. Getting past Mir will be no easy task, but let’s assume he does win that fight.

Cormier is the first real threat to Jon Jones and his championship run.

Jones has been dominant during his UFC tenure. His title run has been even more dominant as he continues to mature and grow as a fighter. His physical attributes are massive advantages in the division, and he knows how to use his natural gifts.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort are the list of victims thus far. Just reading those names aloud and realizing what Jones has done makes him the most accomplished 205-pound fight ever.

Potential future title contender Dan Henderson offers not much more than a puncher’s chance against Jones.

Cormier, however, poses a different set of problems for Jones that could put the champion’s back against the wall.

Jones’ physical advantages along with his overall skills have allowed him to dominate most everyone, but Cormier can strike with Jones and take him down.

Corimer is an elite, world-class-level wrestler. Jones is not. If Cormier can get in the clinch against Jones, it is likely the champion will end up on his back, and that is something we have yet to see. How will he react with Cormier on top of him?

Jones has honed his striking over the years, but he is still not one of the best strikers in the division. And we have seen Jones get hit before. Cormier has devastating power. Would Jones risk getting clipped against Cormier? He may have to.

Jones would undoubtedly enter as the favorite, but for the first time, he would be in there against a fighter with a legitimate chance to dethrone him. No matter how good his previous opponents have been, Jones was never in any danger against those men. That is not the case with Cormier.

Cormier‘s abilities make him the best possible stylistic opponent for Jones. It should be the fight fans clamor to see. We would get to see Jones pushed to be his best self to defend the championship. That is something we have yet to see. He has been that dominant.

The former Oklahoma State standout could be the man to knock off Jones. Depending on how the schedule shakes out in 2013, we could see that fight late in the year, but Dan Henderson is in front of the pack for the next title shot.

That would give Cormier more time to acclimate himself to the light heavyweight division and continue his growth as a complete mixed martial artist. Jones may want to demand to fight Cormier as soon as possible.

Cormier is the most dangerous opponent for Jones, and he only grows more hungry by the day.

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UFC News: Chael Sonnen Offers You His ‘Truth Talk Academy’ Videotape for $9.99

Many pundits’ biggest criticism of two-time UFC middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen is that it’s his bark and not his bite that gets him opportunities to capture UFC gold. Well, in a video shot for Fighters Only Magazine, “The American Gang…

Many pundits’ biggest criticism of two-time UFC middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen is that it’s his bark and not his bite that gets him opportunities to capture UFC gold.

Well, in a video shot for Fighters Only Magazine, “The American Gangster” pokes fun at that notion, putting out an advertisement to purchase his Truth Talk Academy videotape for a low fee of just $9.99.

“You’ve seen me degrade world champions, you’ve seen me incite entire countries and you will continue to watch me verbally massacre anyone who gets in my way … and now, I’m willing to teach you how to do the same,” Sonnen says at the beginning of the skit.

If there was any question that “Uncle Chael” had an issue at making some jokes at his expense, check out what he had to say when it comes to settling matters with your fists.

“If you want to have the whole world looking up to you, don’t worry about these (holds up his fists) these are secondary!”

The video covers all the best verbal attacks including insults, threats and comebacks. If your budget is a little tight right now, no worries, as the VHS tape costs just $9.99 (or three easy payments of $3.33).

In summary, the former two-time All-American collegiate wrestler explains that having a silver tongue is far more important than knowing how to fight these days.

“Here at the Chael Sonnen Truth Talking Academy, you’re not going to learn to be better, you’re not going to learn how to fight better … what I’m going to teach you is to exercise your most important muscle in your body and that is your mouth. I’ll teach you how to clean up a division without throwing a single punch. And if you don’t believe this is the most important thing you possess (point to mouth), then just look who’s fighting for the title in April. That’s right, and the rest of you can suck it!”

The light-hearted video, which was released on Saturday, is no doubt in part to address the critics who don’t believe Sonnen deserves a chance at light heavyweight gold this April when he takes on Jon Jones.

Sonnen hasn’t fought at 205 pounds since UFC 55 in Oct. 2005, but according to UFC president Dana White, he’s the only contender who was willing to step up and fight “Bones.”

Jones and Sonnen are currently coaching opposite one another on Season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter, with the first episode, which aired yesterday, generally receiving positive reviews from fans.

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TUF 17 Episode 1 Recap: Gilbert Smith Jr. vs Luke Barnatt Set for First Fight

Through 14 fights, UFC president Dana White, Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen watched, as 28 men competed for a spot on Season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter, and there were plenty of highlights along the way (read the full play-by-play right over here).After th…

Through 14 fights, UFC president Dana White, Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen watched, as 28 men competed for a spot on Season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter, and there were plenty of highlights along the way (read the full play-by-play right over here).

After the dust cleared, both coaches made their picks, listed here:

Team Jones:

1. Clint Hester (7-3)
2. Josh Samman (9-2)
3. Robert “Bubba” McDaniel (20-6)
4. Gilbert Smith Jr. (5-1)
5. Collin Hart (4-1-1)
6. Adam Cella (4-0)
7. Dylan Andrews (16-4-1)

Team Sonnen:

1. Luke Barnatt (5-0)
2. Uriah Hall (7-2)
3. Zak Cummings (15-3)
4. Tor Troeng (15-4-1)
5. Jimmy Quinlan (3-0)
6. Kevin Casey (5-2)
7. Kelvin Gastelum (5-0)

Once the lines were drawn and the teams were formed, Jones decided to take a gamble by trying to eliminate Sonnen’s No. 1 team pick, undefeated English fighter Luke Barnatt.

Based on what the episode showed (several fights were heavily edited), the most impressive competitor of the night was, arguably, Uriah Hall, who battered his opponent en route to a decision win that had White, Jones and Sonnen screaming in amazement.

Another standout was Clint Hester, the first-round pick for Team Jones, who notched an extremely violent, one-sided decision win. Tor Troeng was also dominant in victory, although Sonnen noted that the fight wasn’t too exciting.

Notably, not one fighter in the episode was filmed going to the hospital, which still leaves the identity of Dana White’s mystery fighter up in the air.

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UFC’s Rampage Jackson Wants Jon Jones’ Oblique Knee-Kick Banned

Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is one of the most creative and ruthless fighters in the UFC, but his fighting style has drawn plenty of criticism from fans and fighters alike.Count Quinton Jackson among that group.The veteran MMA legend has an is…

Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is one of the most creative and ruthless fighters in the UFC, but his fighting style has drawn plenty of criticism from fans and fighters alike.

Count Quinton Jackson among that group.

The veteran MMA legend has an issue with Jones’ trademark “oblique kick” to the knee, an effective move that the champion has used to frustrate and damage many opponents.

As “Rampage” Jackson tells ESPN, he views the tactic as a move that should be banned under the current Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts:

It should be called the illegal kick. It should be banned and it shows a lot about the fighter’s character that he would throw it. How would he like it if somebody threw it at him and stopped him working for a year?

I thought it was an illegal move. I think spinning elbows should be illegal too because they land on the back of the head. But I appreciate a good fight, a good scrap, I just wonder which rule fighters will bend next.

Jackson found himself on the receiving end of Jones’ kicks many times during their UFC 135 title fight, as “Bones” slowed down his opponent with that attack over four rounds.

Once Jackson was reduced to limping after his opponent, Jones eventually scored the finish with a takedown and a rear-naked choke.

That same strategy might even come into play once Jones faces Chael Sonnen at UFC 159, as crippling knee strikes could hamper Sonnen‘s takedown ability.

Due to the force and unique angle of those knee strikes, fans and pundits have argued about the legality of the move, with Jackson himself telling The MMA Hour that the tactic was dishonorable.

For sake of argument, the only foul descriptors under current MMA rules that could lend credence to Jackson’s claims are”small joint manipulation” and “any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to opponent“—although the crux of the former rule is whether or not the knee qualifies as a small joint.

At least Jackson likely won’t have to worry about oblique kicks in his upcoming UFC on Fox 6 bout with Glover Teixeira, as the two are currently set to clash in the co-main event of this Saturday’s card at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

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The Ultimate Fighter 17: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen, Episode 1 Live Results

Season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter debuts tonight at 8 p.m. PT/ET on the FX Channel, starring UFC president Dana White, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen.For this Tuesday night, the show will have a special two-hour season premiere, …

Season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter debuts tonight at 8 p.m. PT/ET on the FX Channel, starring UFC president Dana White, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen.

For this Tuesday night, the show will have a special two-hour season premiere, as 28 middleweights compete in the elimination round for a spot in the TUF house and a place in either “Team Jones” or “Team Sonnen.”

(Check out the full list of competitors here.)

Tune in around 4:45 PT/7:45 ET, as we start our coverage of the show at Bleacher Report MMA with full play-by-play of every fight and additional commentary.

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Sonnen and Jones on SportsCenter: “We’re Not Going to Put on an Act” to Fight

Appearing on SportsCenter to plug The Ultimate Fighter season 17, which debuts tonight on FX, Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones opened up on both the reality show, the cancellation and UFC 151’s cancellation.While no new light was shed on UFC 151’s cancellati…

Appearing on SportsCenter to plug The Ultimate Fighter season 17, which debuts tonight on FX, Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones opened up on both the reality show, the cancellation and UFC 151’s cancellation.

While no new light was shed on UFC 151’s cancellation, the two fighters certainly reinforced talk about how the initially-spiny relationship between the current light heavyweight champ and the former middleweight contender has become softer.

While Jones said a montage of clips featuring Dana White and Sonnen immediately after the UFC 151 cancellation played by ESPN reminded him why he initially wanted the fight, when asked to describe his relationship with his opponent, he quickly responded “professional.” Sonnen agreed and said “we started as competitors, and it quickly got transferred into being coaches.”

Sonnen would go on to praise Jones for his expertise as a coach, and complimented the amount of time and effort he put into his charges. He would go on to hype the raw talent of the contestants on the show, and once again discussed how The Ultimate Fighter is “the toughest tournament in sports”, a line Sonnen has always made sure to pull out when discussing the show. Jones would return the favor and say how he respects Sonnen and said the two of them “did a great job”.

What’s more, when asked if disliking your opponent was important come fight night, the two agreed that it was not. Sonnen would go on to say that “we’re going to fight, and we make no apologies for that, but we’re not going to put on an act and pretend we’re upset with each other.”

Some fans have been disappointed by the lack of friction between the two fighters since agreeing to coach opposite each other.

They originally gave fans one of the most epic Twitter feuds in MMA (or Twitter) history, and went for the jugular in their meetings in Fall 2012. Neither left anything on the table in conference calls, with Sonnen rubbing in Jones’ DUI trouble, and Jones pointing out Sonnen‘s TRT use.

Either way, watch for The Ultimate Fighter season 17’s debut tonight on FX in America, and on ESPN in the UK.

Additionally, keep an eye on the Bleacher Report for more info on the season as it unfolds.

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