UFC bombshell: Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen to coach 'TUF,' fight in April

[VCURamFan]

From MMAFighting.com

The match which didn't happen at UFC 151 is coming next April.

In a Tuesday bombshell, The Los Angeles Times broke news that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen will serve as coaches on the next season of "The Ultimate Fighter," then meet in a coaches' fight on April 27.

UFC president Dana White told the Times' Lance Pugmuire that Jones' elbow injury, suffered in his Sept. 22 bout against Vitor Belfort, will require extensive physical therapy, which will put him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

"This should be a good one," White told the Times. "Jon has accepted the fight. He knows the fans want to see that fight."

By putting Jones on "TUF," White kills two birds with one stone: He keeps the champion busy while hyping what could be the biggest-selling bout of 2013, while also using star power to revive a listing "Ultimate Fighter" franchise. Last Friday's edition of TUF drew just 624,000 viewers on FX, the lowest rating in the show's 16-season history.

Jones vs. Sonnen was initially proposed as a replacement main event for UFC 151 on Sept. 1 after Jones' scheduled challenger, Dan Henderson pulled out less than two weeks before the fight due to a knee injury. Jones declined the bout, then White pulled the plug on the entire fight card, the first event cancelation in Zuffa history.

Last week, though, Jones sent out signals he would be receptive to a bout with Sonnen, tweeting "The more I realize how bad the fans want me to fight Sonnen the more I am beginning to disregard whether he deserves it or not."

Sonnen responded on Twitter: "You don't give. I TAKE. Remembah that, Bonesie-boy."

White indicated to the Times that Sonnen will not fight between now and April 27, meaning his planned Dec. 27 bout with Forrest Griffin appears off.

No venue was announced for the April 27 bout.

[VCURamFan]

Happy birthday to me, I guess!

[kevint13]

That was so 40 min ago

http://www.matt-hughes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9989

[rearnakedchoke]

dana white: i don't do freak shows

[rearnakedchoke]

proves dana is a business man first and mma fan second ... TUF is his baby and he needed to do something to keep it alive ... sure chael will have some good one liners against jones, who won't respond to anything but i don't think it will be enough to rescue the show ...

[gnp]

Farcical decision, Sonnen lost his last fight moves up in weight and his mouth rather than his talent (or lack of) get him an immediate title shot. What happens when Jones destroys him? does he go up to HW and get smashed by JDS

[JavierDLC]

Originally Posted by VCURamFan

Happy birthday to me, I guess!

Happy Birthday to the both of us!!

4/27/85


War Sonnen!!!!

[gnp]

Dana's explanation as to why Chael gets the fight

http://www.mmaweekly.com/why-does-ch...ays-dana-white

If you are a UFC light heavyweight fighter complaining about the recently announced Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen fight… talk to the hand.

The hand of UFC president Dana White, that is.

While many people, fighters and fans alike, have been perplexed at the UFC’s decision to slot in Jones and Sonnen as coaches for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter and then have Sonnen fight for the title in April of 2013, White has a simple explanation.

Timing.

“We got the word, after Jon went out and got his elbow checked, that he was out and couldn’t fight until April,” explained White on Wednesday. “So it made sense for him to do The Ultimate Fighter. Machida can fight, Dan Henderson can fight; Gustafsson and Shogun are gonna fight in December, so everything will keep right on moving (in the division).

“Obviously Chael wants this fight, has been asking for this fight. The fans wanted this fight.

“Jon said, ‘I can’t fight until April. I’d like to go in there and whip Chael’s ass and then I’ll defend the belt against whoever you want me to defend the belt against.’ So it made sense.”

Still, many are going to point to the fact that Chael Sonnen has not fought at 205 pounds in the past half decade, is not a contender in the division, and should not be able to “talk his way” into a title shot.

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Again, White would point to the timing, and the fact that several other fighters had their opportunity and when the UFC needed someone to step up, Sonnen was the man to answer the call.

“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Dan Henderson had the opportunity for the fight and he got injured, right? He got injured, now Jones is injured until friggin’ April,” said White.

“Every one of these guys that are bitching about a title shot now, we’re offered a fight and turned it down. They refused to fight Jon Jones. Now, they’re bummed out because Chael stepped up on eight-days notice and he’s gonna coach The Ultimate Fighter and fight him.”

For White, the equation is quite simple. The best time to make hay is when the sun shines.

“All the top contenders that are pissed off that Chael Sonnen has a title shot are the same guys that I called that turned down fighting Jon Jones.”

Hard to argue against I suppose.

[rockdawg21]

I side with Dana on this one. Chael had the balls to step up on 8 days notice while the rest didn't.

[County Mike]

Bombshell!