Jones' last defeat was a classic case of his bad strategies, though. Masterful job of Matt Hammill, baiting Jones into the 12-6 elbows.

:roflpuke2::roflpuke2::roflpuke2:

:bowrofl: :bowrofl: :bowrofl:

The UFC/Zuffa have a lot of money riding on Jones. Had they done Silva vs. Jones earlier, they would have lost a lot of PPV money no matter who lost. If they do it like I am thinking, if Jones loses to Silva, who cares, he cleared out the LH division, now move to HW and dominate there. If Silva loses, he retires with his only real loss to a much younger guy.

If Silva wins, he can retire and Zuffa sets up a fight for interim champ... Everyone is making $$$$$$$

I agree with GSP getting the Canadian beaten out of him vs. Silva. It's just not an interesting fight to me.

I'd still love to see GSP vs Silva. I agree that maybe Silva vs Jones should be done when Jones is ready to move up and Silva is ready to retire. If Silva loses though, I'm pretty sure he will be motivated to come back for one more fight at least so he can go out with a victory. Don't think after 16 wins in a row he will just decide it's over after his first loss in over 6 years.

But how bad will it be? Will he be like Randy Couture and put up a decent showing into his 40's, or will he be like Punch-drunk Liddell and have the large KO button around his chin? I guess we won't know until it happens, but I hope he doesn't go out like a b*tch.

:iagree:

Breaking news! It looks like Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen will be coaching the next season of TUF! They're set to fight on April 27, 2013. Good move business wise for the UFC to cash in on this rivalry now. I don't think Sonnen deserves the shot though, especially as his first LHW fight and after just losing to Silva. They could have easily put Hendo in as the coach opposite Jones. :shakes head:

The one interesting thing to see in that fight will be if Sonnen can take Jones down and how Jones fights off his back. Sonnen is smart enough to know that's his only chance to win and he will not hesitate in going for it as soon as the bell rings. Other than that, Jones will easily pick him apart with his striking and range.

Sonnen will get pwned, but having his knack for drama will be great on TUF.

I thought Sonnen was supposed to fight Forest Griffin. Did that get scrapped?

:iagree:

That will boost the ratings for sure. Hopefully the fight will be more satisfying than Rampage vs Evans. I think we'll get a similar level of hype if not more for this season.

Apparently.


I know ESPN sucks when it comes to MMA news, but here you go:
Jon Jones to defend UFC belt vs. Chael Sonnen on April 27 - ESPN

I don't understand why Sonnen gets a shot at the Light Heavyweight (LH) title..He lost his last fight, and hasn't fought at LH..

Silva never fought for the LH belt and now says he's done moving up to LH. Don't get me wrong, I think Sonnen is a good fighter, but shouldn't he have to win a couple at LH to deserve a shot? I know Bones has pretty much beat the entire class, but still...

he gets his title shot because he sells PPV and can hype a fight like no other. he is an annual legit contender @ 185 sure and while i think he needs atleast one if not two LH wins before its a legitimate title fight but its not that much different that vitor getting a shot only besides the fact that sonnen is a lot bigger draw. i sort of cant argue with the booking. look it might not be the ideal #1 contender but the fan in me would rather see it over any of the jones vs XXXX rematches that would be the alternative

if you go soley by the rankings then no he needs to earn a place at 205 but you know all you guys got a little excited when you read the fight was going to happen more so than if you would have read machida or whoever.. its a sport of its also a business and a bit of entertainment and that fight to me is interesting and im looking foward to it.. no i dont think chael will win but i sitll want to see what happens

plus he is going to torment jones on TUF might even make me watch the show instead of tuning in to catch the tail end of the fight the last 5 mins

and also i think jones laying off and taking the coaching gig until april might serve a purpose to let his bicep heal

:iagree: but I also wouldn't mind seeing Jones vs. Machida 2. I think Lyoto could beat him.

Another thing you have to consider is that there aren't many people willing to take a fight with Jones right now. The fact that Sonnen was the only one to man up and be willing to do it had a lot to do with making this fight. I think they should have given Hendo his rightful shot at Jones and let Sonnen at least go through with the Griffin fight first.

Anyone who has a chance to beat Jones isn't gonna be afraid of him and has to be the aggressor in the fight. That's something that Sonnen will probably do that others won't. It was the same with Belfort and it almost worked. Jones was smart to take down Belfort in the beginning of the fight, because I don't think he would have survived Belfort's bull rush of striking.

:iagree: 100%