Irreverent Sonnen is at it again

JON Jones must be wondering how it all went wrong. One minute he was the toast of the MMA world, dubbed as both the present and the future of the sport. He is after all, the UFC light heavyweight champion, fans and foes alike awed by his vast repertoire of offensive skills.

In the next, he was pilloried as a coward, branded as “Chicken Bones Jones” and denounced by fans.

And all because he refused to fight a guy named Chael Sonnen on eight days’ notice.

UFC 151. To the un-initiated, maybe a bit of a background is on order. Jones was penciled to fight Dan Henderson on UFC 151 today. Henderson decided to pull out because of an MCL tear injury and Sonnen was declared as the last-minute replacement.

However, Jones refused to fight Sonnen on such short notice eventually leading to the cancellation of UFC 151, the first time the UFC ever cancelled an event..

ANTICS. In typical Sonnen shtick, he would poke fun at Jones with his tonguein-cheek, sardonic sense of humor which I just find hilarious. Consider the following.

For an ad on his pizza joint in Oregon, Sonnen featured a “Jon Jones Special Pizza” which is “loaded with chicken and full of cheese.” Poking fun at a drunk driving incident in May which led to Jones’s arrest, the pizza “comes with a six pack of beer” and he adds, “Hurry up, before our chicken runs out and we have to cancel.”

There’s more, and this is just too witty to pass up. Sonnen posted this on his Facebook page:

I am no longer permitted to speak ill of the former champion Jon Jones as we have come to an agreement. I will stop tearing him down verbally and in ex- change he has relinquished his belt to me. I would like to read a prepared statement from the former Champion. Mr. Sonnen, In every man’s life a choice must eventually be made. Run or fight. I said I wouldn’t duck any man as champion. But you are no ordinary man. You’ve spoken nothing but truth in your attempt to gain a title fight with me. My last act of cowardice is to hand over what you would have beaten out of me eight days from today. The UFC LHW Title. Now I must refocus my life. Good luck Champ. Signed, Jon Bones Jones P.S. I just ordered your best selling book, A Voice of Reason from Amazon, I’ve been told by Greg Jackson that it will help me get through this tough time. Thanks

I’m quite intrigued by Jones’ reluctance, as I am convinced Sonnen’s style is tailor-made for him

Sonnen brings grinding, searing pressure, opting to attack with unmitigated fury, and makes you work hard every second as he is constantly on the attack.

He was doing the same thing with Anderson Silva in the first round of their second fight, but in the second round, made a critical mistake by attempting a swinging back fist, and missing.

That was all that the wily Silva needed to end the fight with some accurate strikes that had Sonnen covering up near the cage.

Ergo, Sonnen is prone to making mistakes and is open to counters.

Jones obviously has Silva’s skill set and has one thing Silva did not have against the surly Sonnen: size.

Jones is huge even for the light heavyweight division and has towered over most of his opponents. He is extremely strong, and powerful.

On the other hand, Sonnen will be moving up in weight. He pretty much was able to bully Anderson because the latter lacked the bulk and the critical mass to fend off the marauding Sonnen. It will be different story with Jones.

I’m a huge fan of Sonnen but I think his style is perfect fodder for Jones. If he comes in, leading with his chin, Jones can easily take him out with his kicks or elbows or trap him in a guillotine choke.

In fairness to Jones, Lyoto Machida was offered the slot to be his dance partner in UFC 152, but the latter declined, stating that 4 weeks was not enough time to prepare.

Maybe it’s a mental thing with some fighters. Whatever the case, I’ll give Jones the benefit of the doubt and let this one pass. This time.

It’s on my niece, little cherub Mischa Dreaux P. Quijano who celebrates her birthday this week. Cheers!