UFC 151 has vanished:
UFC @ufc
UFC 152 on September 22 will remain named UFC 152. UFC 151 will simply not happen.
When Jon Jones and his coach Greg Jackson turned down a light heavyweight title fight against Chael Sonnen, following Dan Henderson’s withdrawal from the fight with a knee injury, an incensed UFC President Dana White called the decision ‘disgusting and selfish’.
The sentiment was echoed by a number figured in the MMA community. The feelings were heightened because Jones himself appeared on The Abe Kanan Show in August 18 and was pressed about Sonnen as a potential opponent.
Kanan: “Why not just take the fight, do it and make a lot of money?”
Jones: “I totally agree and I’m not sitting here saying that I wouldn’t take the fight, I would take the fight in a heartbeat.”
When the heartbeat decision to fight the offered not-in-prime-shape Middleweight came up, he declined. The argument that he did not have adequate time to train for Sonnen holds little weight, as Sonnen of course did not have time to train for him, either.
The argument that Sonnen does not deserve the fight is moot, as Jones already said he would fight him on Sept. 22, just did not want to do so given the eight days remaining before the fight, most of which would be consumed by the weight cut and media duties.
The sole point on which Jones rests his case is that he had so much to lose, and Sonnen so little. Whether that argument ultimately sways the fans remains to be seen, but it has not so far.
Dana White
“This is one of those selfish, disgusting decisions that just doesn’t affect you.He just affected 16 other people’s lives, families, kids going back to school. The list goes on and on, the money that was spent for these fighters to train, and everything else. Like I said, this isn’t a decision that is going to make Jon Jones popular with the fans, sponsors, cable distributors, television network executives or other fighters.
michael @bisping
Jones said he’s not fighting chael on 8 days notice. I did. …. Just sayin
Jon Jones is never, ever going to live this down. This was a massive mistake. I can’t believe this was his decision. If you have ultimate fighter on your business card, you are supposed to show up and fight. And if you are the world champion, you are supposed to have the ‘anytime, anywhere, anyhow’ attitude.
Chuck Liddell
The fans want to think their favorite, their world champion, is indestructible, and believe he can beat anyone. From a fan’s standpoint, you want to believe your guy would fight anyone at any place at any time. Him saying no to a guy fans perceive as a middleweight isn’t going to help his image at all.
TJ Dillashaw @TJDillashaw
I can’t believe a whole show was canceled because of Jon Jones!! He should have to relinquish his belt
Michael Chiesa @MikeMav22
@JonnyBones is a fraud. He’s all about his $$ but he won’t take a fight with @sonnench who would bring in WAY more $$? He’s scared, period.
99.999% of @UFC fighters will be “company men” and help our organization if needed. @sonnench is a company man, @jonnybones is selfish.
Vinny Magalhaes @VinnyMMA
How to ruin an entire event #BonesKnows
How to piss Dana White off #BonesKnows
Things that people learned today: Chael @sonnench is the man! A lot of people will be losing money. Jon Jones doesn’t give a s—.
Charlie Brenneman @SpaniardMMA
Me n @rick_story took a fight on 24 hrs norice!! Champ what?!?! @ufc
@JonnyBones u can send my check to PO box 198. EH NJ. Rent is due the first, so preferably by then. Thanks. @ufc
Jeff Houghland @JeffHougland
Wait am I not fighting?? Please say it ain’t so I got bills to pay @ufc !
@JonnyBones Can I at least get one of your new Nike T-shirts? I’ll give it to my kid since I won’t have any money for her school clothes.
Mackens Semerzier @MackDaMenaceMMA
Cancel the whole damn event? What happend to “I’ll fight whoever the @ufc tells me to” or does that only apply to fighting “friends”?
Ulysses Gomez @uselessgomez
Bones wouldn’t be taking the fight on “8 days notice” he’s been training for a fight for at least 8 weeks! Chael is same style as Hendo. But he said no?
Abel Trujillo @AbelTrujillo1
The news of UFC 151 cancelled is heartbreaking!!! Trying to stay positive that its Gods plan & not mine!!! Jon Jones is selfish For that!!!
Diego Sanchez UFC @DiegoSanchezUFC
I’m just saying these guys have family’s bills & taxes to pay@danawhite is a standup guy Im sure he took care of the other fighters somehow
@jonnybones love me or hate me I say it how it is! This effects the 20 families of the other guys on card, people need to eat
@JonnyBones should have took the fight I would have, he had a full camp @sonnench had no camp & he’ a 85’er
john albert @UFCPrinceAlbert
I am so livid right now I was the biggest Jon jones fan but not anymore that guy is bad for the sport his fans and other fighters he doesn’t
Understand or forgot what it’s like being a lower ranked fighter like me or @JeffHougland who make pennies compared to him and fighting is
Our livelihood and we survive by fighting and all the hard work those 20 other fighters put in are goin to waste utterly discusted
Josh Barnett @JoshLBarnett
If I was in Jones’ shoes I’d have said “Bring me the contract and I’ll bring you his head.”. To me, the scenario was far in Jones’ favor.
Brock Jardine @BrockJardine
If u wanted to make money y wouldn’t u want to fight @sonnench who was just part of biggest ppv in @ufc history Really disappointed
Dennis Hallman @DennisHallman
Hey @JonnyBones thanks for being so considerate to your fellow fighters, what a model champion. I guess we can stop the Ali comparisons.
Joe Rogan @joerogan
I am completely bewildered that Jon Jones didn’t accept the fight with Chael Sonnen. Never saw that coming in a million years.
Now the entire UFC card is scrapped because Jones didn’t accept a fight with a 185lb’er who is completely out of shape. WOW. Just wow.
Daron Cruickshank @Cruickshank155
Sorry kitty only food thats on sale for you now. That’s ok you needed a diet anyway. RIP ufc151
The UFC released an official statement on the matter:
“For the first time in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, a UFC® champion has refused to face an alternative challenger after an injury to his original opponent, forcing the organization to cancel an event. “
“UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones refused an alternative opponent, forcing UFC president Dana White to cancel the entire UFC 151 card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas next Saturday.”
“Many people, from fans to PPV distributors, TV networks, sponsors, and more importantly fighters who are working hard to support their families and build their careers are hurt badly by this selfish decision. “
Dana White stated: “Jon Jones is a guy a lot of fans don’t like, and I don’t think this is going to make him any more popular. Lorenzo Fertitta and I are disgusted with Jon Jones and Greg Jackson.
Fans too weighed in with their dismay, generating a series of derisive images
Jackson’s MMA too allegedly got into the act, putting Chael in the urinal.
Other fighters expressed deep regret solely at the cancellation.
DaMarques Johnson @DaMarques_UFC
UFC 151 canceled… 🙁 no more cold spoon. Thats like me sitting on my own balls. Shocking saddening and painful
Brad Tavares @BradTavares
1. I feel bad for all the fighters who won’t get paid. 2. I feel bad for all the fans 3. Feel even worse for the fans who r going to show up
Danny Castillo @lastcall155
Who got $50 I can borrow till my next fight? 😉
Kyle Noke @KyleNoke
Im no longer fighting. the whole @ufc 151 card is cancelled. Sorry to all fans who bought flight, hotel, and fight tickets. #heartbroken
Henry Martinez @HenryMartinez83
I train my ass off I sacrifice myself&my family and my fights get canceled and sponsors bullshit me and don’t pay. #UFC151canceled #livid
And the outrage was not universal.
King Mo @KingMoFH
@JonnyBones is smart….its a business. Dont knock him for his decision. Yall aint in his shoes!!! U dont see it in big boxing events.
Roy Nelson @roynelsonmma
UFC is the promoter not @JonnyBones he is making sure his business is ok, because nobody else is.
Benson Henderson @BensonHenderson
So please quit disparaging my boy @JonnyBones…it’s EASY to say u’d put it all on the line but he actually has & does…#respect homie
Jason High @KCBanditMMA
Screw u guys calling him selfish man. I can’t stand fans. Of course he’s selfish. Who’s gonna take care of his shit if he doesn’t. You? #FOH
reverend john
Jones defended title 3 times this year against the best they had to offer, and was willing to do it again. S— happened, and he wasn’t going to risk his title, record and reputation on a bulls— replacement fight at the last minute. What does he get for making the smart decision? S— from everyone. This kid is not afraid of anyone. He has fought everyone they have thrown at him. But he wants proper preparation.
Even the innocent got dragged into the fray, including a UGer Jon Jones.
Jon Jones @jonjones
haha! The UFC fighter Jon Jones backed out of a fight and now I’m getting flooded with horrible, cruel insults because people think I’m him.
AJ HoffmanAJ Hoffman @AJIsTheReal
Sorry @JonJones for calling you a yeast infection. That was meant for @jonnybones
Jones @jonjones
In all seriousness, I would take the fight, because I think it would be really funny. Even though I would probably die.
Jon Jones @jon__jones
haha, nice one!
Jones @jonjones
Thanks! Solidarity, fellow Jon. *fistbump* 😉
Thus ended the weirdest UFC day since Teili’s toothie went flying into the crowd.
