Tag: Jon Jones

Chael Sonnen Says He’ll End Up Facing Jones After Belfort Pulls out

The unquestioned biggest winner of last week’s cancellation of UFC 151 was Chael Sonnen.There’s no real way to argue otherwise. Sonnen went from defeated middleweight title contender to “in the mix” light heavyweight title challenger, all without, you …

The unquestioned biggest winner of last week’s cancellation of UFC 151 was Chael Sonnen.

There’s no real way to argue otherwise. Sonnen went from defeated middleweight title contender to “in the mix” light heavyweight title challenger, all without, you know, actually fighting at light heavyweight to earn the spot.

And despite Sonnen being passed over for the shot at Jon Jones—that honor went to Vitor Belfort, another middleweight who will try to wrest the title from the young champion at UFC 152 in Toronto—he’s still making waves and creating news where there seemingly isn’t any actual news to be found.

Sonnen told FightLine that he still thinks he’ll be the guy standing across the cage from Jones once September 22 rolls around:

I’ve got an agreement to fight a gentleman named Forrest Griffin on December 29, but I don’t know. Jon Jones has a date of September 22 and right now, he’s fighting Vitor Belfort. Vitor never shows up, Vitor has pulled out of way more fights than he has ever shown up for, so if I had to guess you’ll be seeing me fight Jon Jones on September 22.

I’m not buying it. I’m not saying that there’s no way Belfort pulls out of the fight, because we’ve all been conditioned to accept that any major fight is going to be drastically altered by injuries or drugs or some other type of craziness.

But even if Belfort is injured, I can’t imagine a scenario where Sonnen will be the guy chosen to take his place, and it’s not because Jones vs. Sonnen wouldn’t be a huge-money fight. It would be. In fact, it’s probably the largest pay-per-view fight left for Jones at light heavyweight.

I just can’t see Sonnen getting the shot because, quite frankly, I don’t think he’d be able to get into Canada for a fight in the first place. The money-laundering charges Sonnen pleaded guilty to in January of 2011 would almost certainly raise red flags when it came time for Sonnen to go through customs, and Canada is notoriously strict about letting folks with criminal records into their beloved country.

I’ve actually seen Canada’s strict regulations applied in person. Last year, a friend of mine embarked on a trip to Toronto to see the Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields fight at UFC 129. He has a similar white-collar felony on his record, and he was detained at the border for just under 30 minutes before being summarily turned away and forced to go home.

Sonnen’s stature as a UFC superstar might make a difference, and Zuffa is well-connected at high political levels in Canada. But the Canadian government isn’t known for making exceptions for anyone, no matter who it is or what they’re planning on coming into the country for. 

In short, even if Belfort does injure himself and pull out of the fight—and all indications are that he’s training at the Blackzilian camp with safety as his paramount concern—it still won’t be Sonnen who is called upon as a replacement. 

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Jon Jones Places the Blame of UFC 151 Cancellation on Dan Henderson

In the aftermath of UFC 151 being cancelled, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones said Dan Henderson deserves the blame for the event being scrapped, since he didn’t disclose his knee injury sooner. Check out what Jones said in a Twitter inter…

In the aftermath of UFC 151 being cancelled, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones said Dan Henderson deserves the blame for the event being scrapped, since he didn’t disclose his knee injury sooner. 

Check out what Jones said in a Twitter interaction with a fan yesterday: 

 

 

 

Early this morning, Jones also tweeted an article arguing that “Hendo” should have disclosed his injury three weeks ago when it occurred. 

This recent turn of events comes as a bit of a shock as Jones apologized for the event being cancelled on Saturday. 

Chael Sonnen, a longtime teammate and friend of Henderson, was offered as a last-second replacement for Jones, but the champion declined the fight. 

Lyoto Machida was expected to step up and fight “Bones” at UFC 152, but he declined the fight on short notice, as did Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. 

Instead, Jones now meets Vitor Belfort in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on September 22 with the belt on the line. This is Belfort’s, a former champion at 205 pounds, first fight at light heavyweight in five years. 

Does Jones have a point in placing the blame on Henderson, or is the champion just tired of all the recent harsh criticism?

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Jon Jones on Dana White’s Comments: "I Just See Clearer Now"

The relationship between Jon Jones and UFC President Dana White may be irreparable after strong comments made during last week’s UFC 151 media conference call.White announced the cancellation of the UFC 151 event after Jones refused to step up and figh…

The relationship between Jon Jones and UFC President Dana White may be irreparable after strong comments made during last week’s UFC 151 media conference call.

White announced the cancellation of the UFC 151 event after Jones refused to step up and fight Chael Sonnen on short notice.

Jones was initially slated to fight Dan Henderson, but a knee injury sustained during training forced the 41-year-old legend to withdraw from the bout.

According to White, Sonnen agreed to step in as a late replacement, but Jones’ camp turned down the fight. White labeled Jones’ decision as “selfish” and “disgusting.”

In only a few days, the young light heavyweight champ has become the most hated man in MMA history.

Bleacher Report’s Matthew Roth was on-hand at the conference call to get White’s reaction to Jones turning down the fight with Sonnen.

“This is one of the selfish disgusting decisions. It doesn’t just affect Jon Jones. I don’t think this is going to be a decision that makes people like Jon Jones.

Being a fight promoter, you can’t make someone fight. I can’t say “you have to fight this Saturday.” You’re either a fighter or you’re not. This is what we all do for a living. I have a building where 250 people have been busting their ass to promote this card. Good for you Jon Jones that you don’t need this fight. There’s a bunch of guys on the undercard who need this fight to feed their families. I can’t make him take the fight but he should.”

At the other end of the spectrum, Jones and his camp felt they needed ample time to prepare for a change of opponents, especially against an upper-echelon fighter like Sonnen.

Some view Jones’ decision as understandable. In MMA, a fighter is only as good as his or her last fight. A loss to Sonnen, a middleweight contender coming off a loss, would be devastating for Jones.

Fans love to talk up “being exciting” and putting on “entertaining fights,” but at the end of the day, a fighter’s success is determined by wins and losses. Jones’ ability to stay on top keeps blue collar sponsors like Nike around.

When asked if he was disappointed White threw him under the bus, Jones remained classy and chose not to stir up more drama.

“No, I just see clearer now,” Jones posted on Twitter.

The vast majority of fans have seemingly sided with White. They believe Jones had an obligation to the fans, his peers and the UFC to step up and take the fight against Sonnen.

With that said, it’s hard to believe one man is responsible for the cancellation of an entire fight card. There were plenty of contributing factors to the demise of UFC 151, including a massive injury bug that claimed Henderson and Josh Koscheck.

Jones’ next light heavyweight title defense has been rescheduled for UFC 152 on September 22, where he is slated to meet former UFC champion Vitor Belfort.

On Twitter, Jones appeared more excited about facing a former champion in Belfort over Sonnen.

“Another former world champion, now this is what I’m here for..”

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Vitor Belfort on Jon Jones: ‘I’m the Old Lion, He’s the Young Lion’

Last week, I put up an article arguing that the UFC’s choice to pit Vitor Belfort against Jon Jones to replace the injured Dan Henderson made absolutely no sense. While I still hold firm to that belief (there are plenty of other fights that would…

Last week, I put up an article arguing that the UFC’s choice to pit Vitor Belfort against Jon Jones to replace the injured Dan Henderson made absolutely no sense. While I still hold firm to that belief (there are plenty of other fights that would make more sense), I have to say Belfort is growing on me.

His media calls in the past few days have shown a joyous, rejuvenated Belfort who, only months ago, was looking into the abyss of his career after pulling out of a fight against Wanderlei Silva.

He now stands to fight for the light heavyweight title in a story that is more compelling and intriguing than any other fight could be made against Jones at this time.

In an interview with AXS TV’s Inside MMA on Monday, Belfort told hosts Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice:

“It’s a journey, I accomplished a lot of things in my life. I accomplished the tournament, I fight two guys, I’m the youngest champion ever, I’m fighting the youngest champion in the new generation. I’m the old lion, he’s the young lion, but I’m hungry… I’m just so pleasured to fight a guy like Jon Jones, being the greatest fighter of all time. He’s improving the sport, he’s a young guy with a lot of abilities, so it’s such an honour for a guy like me, whose been around for 17 years to fight a guy like Jon Jones.”

In his broken English, Belfort has got me excited for this match. Any great fight needs a story behind it, a historical narrative which brought the two combatants together. Belfort’s talk of “young lion” and “old lion” is almost Hemingway-esque (see Old Man and the Sea).

He feels confident he has what it takes to face Jones. The Brazilian says he walks around at 210 and is looking forward to not having to cut weight for his forthcoming fight. Asked by Rutten about how ready he is to take this fight on only a few weeks’ notice, Belfort said:

“Bro… we are old school guys… A lot of fighters today they are more into the sport, the new generation, they’re getting prepared, they’re studying their opponents. We are the type of fighters that adapted to fight. We’re ready to fight, tomorrow, in the gym. I used to fight in the Carlson Gracie time and we fight every day in the gym. So taking this fight in such short notice and going up a division, it’s an awesome journey in myself.”

Belfort feels lucky and honoured for the chance to fight for the title against Jon Jones and if he wins, would be the second time he’s held the belt at 205. But while the likes of Dan Henderson and others have rained criticism on Jones for ducking Chael Sonnen when he was offered that fight, Belfort refuses to say anything bad about the champion.

“I cannot judge anyone. Everyone knows how to deal with their careers, how to deal with the organisation,” said Belfort on Inside MMA. “The way I deal with the organisation is that when they need me, I’ll be there. And that’s the way I do it. And I don’t criticise other people because nobody can decide better than yourself for making a decision. I’m not going to be here judging anybody, especially Jon Jones’ camp and himself. He fought all the champions; that guy isn’t scared of anyone and I know that for sure.”

Belfort recently joined Rashad Evans with the Blackzilians in South Florida and will train there in preparation for his fight against Jones. The fight will take place at UFC 152 in Toronto on Sept. 22.

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Chael Sonnen Hopes Vitor Belfort Seizes the Moment vs. Jon Jones at UFC 152

New UFC light heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen hasn’t always been the friendliest guy out there when it comes to speaking about his competition. His hilarious yet vicious attacks on Anderson Silva are the stuff of legend, but Silva hasn’t been t…

New UFC light heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen hasn’t always been the friendliest guy out there when it comes to speaking about his competition. 

His hilarious yet vicious attacks on Anderson Silva are the stuff of legend, but Silva hasn’t been the only fighter that the former No. 1 contender has gone after. Recently, it appears that Chael has had a change of heart about at least one of the colleagues he insulted.

“Vitor’s an excellent fighter,” Sonnen told MMAjunkie.com about the man who ended up getting the next shot at UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. “It’s world champion after world champion that he fights, and this isn’t any different. It’s a good chance for Vitor, and I hope he seizes the moment.” 

Sonnen once called out Belfort for being physically unable to perform against Wanderlei Silva at UFC 147, even calling him a “liar” and a “chicken.”

Now it appears that Sonnen has changed his tune, though, and he has even admitted that his own mother is a big fan of the former The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil coach. 

After Sonnen’s fight with Jones was turned down by the champion, Jones went on to accept a fight against Vitor Belfort, whom he will now battle at UFC 152. 

“If there was any word to describe what happened in that 48-hour period, it would be surprised,” Sonnen said regarding his reaction to being told that he wouldn’t be fighting Jones, but that Belfort would just a month later. “Maybe even one step further of disbelief.” 

With Sonnen no longer competing for the title against Jones, his schedule has now been opened up. His previously scheduled fight against Forrest Griffin is not certain any longer, and although no opponent has been officially announced, Sonnen did let fans know that there is something in the works.

“We’ll see,” he said. “There’s going to be some news coming out on me soon. We’ll see how things play out. Stay tuned.” 

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Chael Sonnen: "Vitor Never Shows Up" Predicts He Will Fight Jon Jones at UFC 152

Chael Sonnen has opened the flood gates and don’t expect the flow of vitriol to slow until he gets his wish of facing UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones inside the Octagon. For a short while it looked as if the world of mixed martial arts w…

Chael Sonnen has opened the flood gates and don’t expect the flow of vitriol to slow until he gets his wish of facing UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones inside the Octagon.

For a short while it looked as if the world of mixed martial arts would be without the caustic Sonnen. He had lost in convincing fashion to Anderson Silva at UFC 148 and his hopes of receiving another shot at Silva’s UFC middleweight crown were close to none.  He had, after all, been stopped twice by the champion and with fighters such as Chris Weidman, Brian Stann, Michael Bisping and Tim Boetsch waiting for their shot at Silva, it was the back of the line for Sonnen.

However the back of the line is not a place Sonnen seems to like to be, so when he announced that he would continue his MMA career at the light heavyweight limit of 205 pounds he did so with all the subtly of a knee to the groin (via UFC Tonight):

I could go up to 205 and I could take Jon Jones’ belt away the same as I could take away his candy on Halloween. Like a little punk kid, I could snatch it away all I want, but there is something to be said in sportsmanship for earning your shot and on the 29th of December I’m going to go through Forrest (Griffin) to do it.

As every MMA fan knows by now, Sonnen almost got the title fight he desires against Jones a lot sooner than anyone expected when Dan Henderson pulled up lame and was forced from the main event at UFC 151. Alas, Jones versus Sonnen was not meant to be as Jones turned down the fight, resulting in the complete cancellation of UFC 151.

That decision, whether it was the right one or not, gave Sonnen the opening he needed. We don’t know if Jones and Sonnen will ever fight, but we do know that isn’t all that important at this time for Sonnen. What is important is that the champion had a chance to fight him and turned it down, a fact that Sonnen saw as a huge missed opportunity for Jones (via Bleacher Report):

This was his biggest opportunity. There’s no question I could beat Jon Jones. Jon Jones can beat me too. But I can beat him. If you ever wanted to stack the deck in his favor, you’d have done it on September 1. You’d have called me out of the blue, switched weight classes on me, put me on a plane to do a press tour, put me everywhere in the world except in the practice room. That was the opportunity he had. I could have beaten him, but he could have beaten me too.

After some misfires Jones eventually landed an opponent at UFC 152, Vitor Belfort.  However if you ask Sonnen, that’s a temporary bump in the road and that he feels that he will be the one facing Jones at UFC 152, as he told ESPN Radio’s Max and Marcellus:

I’ve got an agreement to fight a gentleman named Forrest Griffin on December 29th but I don’t know. Jon Jones has a date on September 22nd and right now he’s fighting Vitor Belfort. Vitor never shows up, Vitor has pulled out of way more fights than he has ever shown up for so if I had to guess you’ll be seeing me fight Jon Jones on September 22nd

In the last year Belfort has withdrawn from two fight cards due to injury, UFC 139 against Cung Le and UFC 147 against Wanderlei Silva.

If Belfort does get injured during his camp and is forced from the main event at UFC 152 it will be interesting to see what occurs.  Will the UFC call on Sonnen once again and if so, will Jones accept the fight this time?  UFC President Dana White lambasted Jones over turning down the fight the first time, so one can only imagine what would happen if he did so a second time.

One thing is almost certain, whether he ends up on the UFC 152 fight card or not, Sonnen is going to be like a gnat buzzing around Jones’ ear until the two eventually meet inside the Octagon. The question is will Jones ignore that incessant buzzing or become obsessed with trying to swat it away? 

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