Jon Jones warming to Chael Sonnen fight

When Dan Henderson dropped out of UFC 151 with a knee injury, Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones turned down a last minute offer to fight Chael Sonnen. Jones and his camp said he was willing to fight Sonnen, but not with only eight days warning (given weigh in and media duties, it was more like three days of preparation).

UFC 151 was subsequently cancelled, and many fans felt that Jones turned down the fight not because he was afraid, but rather because he did not want to give Sonnen a fighter after being harassed by him on twitter. Jones took to Twitter today and affirmedt he thought Sonnen did not deserve the fight, but floated the idea anyway “for the fans.”

Jon Bones Jones ‏@JonnyBones

Who would you guys like to see me fight next?

The more I realize how bad the fans want to see me fight Sonnen the more I am beginning to disregard whether he deserves it or not

A part of me wants to do it for the fans the other part of me feels as if it delegitimizes the importance of championship

Sonnen responded caustically, portions of which are copied below.

chael sonnen ‏@sonnench

“Deserve?” I don’t wait, I take. You’re not the BEST, you’re just NEXT. @jonnybones #fixurarmurgonnaneedit

You don’t GIVE. I TAKE. Remembah that, Bonesie-Boy @jonnybones

Read entire Twitter… (Jon Jones)

Read entire Twitter… (Chael Sonnen)