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[JayBird]

This wouldn't have been the first time someone who "doesn't deserve" a title shot, actually got a title shot. Shit happens, injuries happen, and people step up and fill in. It's a business (entertainment actually), first and foremost, and almost like show biz the "show must go on." Until today. I don't get why Jones would turn down an ENORMOUS payday by fighting Chael. That fight would have had so much buzz, especially with Chael talking a ton of crap over the past few weeks and Jon actually responding to him, and then they actually get the opportunity to step in the cage together?!?! It would have been perfect. They would have sold a ton of PPV's. The fans (that bought tickets, airfare, etc.) would have been happy. Dana and Lorenzo would have been happy, the other fighters would have been stoked. Now it's completely fucked. All because Bones couldn't Man Up and put a beat down on Chael Sonnen.

[SwordofAres]

Originally Posted by The Return Of......

How is the card, or the undercard getting cancelled Jon Jones problem?

For weeks people have been bitching about Dana White and how bad the card is. Maybe, if it was a stronger card, it would not have been cancelled.

To blame 1 fighter, for turning down a fight against a guy who hasn't earned it and taking a fight against a more dangerous guy at the PPV after it, for ruining the card is just crazy. For all you know Jones said yes to Machida, Machida asked for more time and Jones agreed to 152 before the whole Sonnen shit got started.

Oh...what was the that? They didnt say that at the press conference? Dana White didnt make it sound like it happened that way? When did everyone on here start believe Dana White? Seems like people only believe him when it fits there post...............

A more dangerous guy he wasn't interested in fighting days ago.

Jones could have saved this card and he chose not to. How again is blaming him crazy?

[CtGreat]

The fault rests solely on the shoulders of ZUFFA for making such a weak ass card. However, Jones really should have taken the fight as I would love to see him smash Sonnen.

[Jagman]

Originally Posted by RearNakedStroke

I didn't call him a jackass. I'm a fan of his. I'll pay to watch him fight any time and I've seen him fight live. I still think its the take of a jackass though.

It isn't Jones responsibility to make sure a card goes on. It's the UFCs. It's Jones responsibility to take on the most worthy opponent, which he his.

I agree with the last part though. Jones is an athlete. Thats not a bad thing.

It actually is Jon Jones responsibility to make sure a card goes on when he is the main attraction. PPV cards are always built around the main event. Its why main eventers like Jones make so much more money than other fighters... they are carrying the card. Also, just because this card lacked star power, doesn't necessarily mean it would have been a weak card. Hell, it wasn't long ago that Jones himself was one of those no named undercard fighters that relied on main events to sell cards that he fought on and built his name on. Besides that, I have seen plenty of cards with tons of star power that sucked. But the bottom line here is just like every fight card, 3/4 of the people buying the ppv are casual fans that are mainly wanting to see the main event. Its why the main event fighters get countdown shows and all of that stuff centered around them. You sell around your main event.

As for Jones turning down the fight, it is a bitch move on many levels. First, he is fighting on the exact same day he has been training for, and would have been fighting against the exact same style he has been training for since Hendo and Chael are basically the same style minus the right hand power. Secondly, the UFC has made Jones rich and made him a star. They have also supported him and stuck by him during his major screw ups such as his DUI arrest a little while ago. I think Jones owed it to them to step up and fight for the UFC, the guys on the undercard, the fans, etc...

He knows he is the main attraction and the main event. Not stepping up was selfish and pathetic.

[d-low]

Originally Posted by Sniggles

Guess what? Jon Bones Jones is officially a villain in the UFC now. It will only help ratings. Boner didn't do it the same way that Tito did. He did it with his own vaginal passive aggressive style.

Ahahaha, you said boner.....anyways in all seriousness whether or not people side with Jones, fans hate him right now. Would you see any of the fighting legends doing shit like this? Chuck, Randy, Wandy....Being champion comes responsibility. Jones was straight up offered a fight knowing of the consequences, and he declines it....knowing that fighters on the undercard need the money, he declines it for his own selfish reasons. He definitely would have my respect if he took the fight regardless if he won or lost

[AnchorPunch]

I'll definitely get shit for pointing this out... but:

Jones, himself, didn't get the title shot by earning according to wins. He got it by stepping up when the real challenger was injured and no one else would step up on short notice. Basically exactly what Sonnen got, but with the caveat that everyone saw something special in Jones. But if you just go off records, Sonnen has earned the shot as much as Jones did...

[CapCee]

Originally Posted by AnchorPunch

I'll definitely get shit for pointing this out... but:

Jones, himself, didn't get the title shot by earning according to wins. He got it by stepping up when the real challenger was injured and no one else would step up on short notice. Basically exactly what Sonnen got, but with the caveat that everyone saw something special in Jones. But if you just go off records, Sonnen has earned the shot as much as Jones did...

Sonnen is coming off of a loss. He's 2-2 in his last 4 fights, and the Bisping fight was somewhat controversial, not a convincing victory by any stretch. Jones had not, and still has not, been "beaten" (sorry Hamill) or really even tested much in a fight, and was coming off a dominant finish of Ryan Bader. Bones fill-in for Evans was announced 6 full weeks before the title shot, not 9 days. Basically, I see very little legitimacy in this comparison.

[Rise]

Originally Posted by d-low

Ahahaha, you said boner.....anyways in all seriousness whether or not people side with Jones, fans hate him right now. Would you see any of the fighting legends doing shit like this? Chuck, Randy, Wandy....Being champion comes responsibility. Jones was straight up offered a fight knowing of the consequences, and he declines it....knowing that fighters on the undercard need the money, he declines it for his own selfish reasons. He definitely would have my respect if he took the fight regardless if he won or lost

While I'm sure many of the fighters on the under card would have taken the fight if the places were reversed. Few and far between would have done it in order to benefit the other fighters.

Saying Jones should have fought for them isn't a realistic. The average person given the choice is always going to do what they think benefits themselves first and foremost. Human nature is to protect yourself and those close to you In this case Jones didn't think the fight worked in his interests for whatever reason.

The onus on this card failing falls solely on the UFC they could have planned much better for this. Having been clear who would be stepping in as potential replacements in advance would be a start. Why wait til the last second to throw someone in. They have LHW's on the sideline waiting to compete throw a few bucks at them and say be ready in case and tie into the main event/co main event fight contracts that these guys may step in. To top it off they have continually been throwing out consistently less then stellar name ppv's for a while now this was bound to happen. They seriously need to look at the frequency of events and start changing up the amount and where the star power is allocated.

[Mr. Cornute]

Originally Posted by RearNakedStroke

Turning down a fight against a weak opponent who doesn't deserve it to take a fight against a much more dangerous opponent that deserves it more is actually pretty awesome.

Ok, we all recognize that Sonnen might not have deserved the fight, but he was the one whom they called AFTER those whom did deserve it were called & turned it down.
Being he was the only one whom accepted up to that point I believe he should have gotten the fight. Remember, when Lyoto faced Jones the first time he had beaten Randy Couture, lost to Shogun, lost to Rampage (I felt he won that fight) but was 1 win - 2 losses leading into his title fight...he deserved it?
There have been many of guys whom have received title shots specifically because there was no one else to give it to at that time & the card was scheduled.
With all that being stated, you being the champ, yes you do take the fight & especially if we all can agree he would have walked through Chael, which he would have. It's called helping your company, being a team player.
To address the blame Jones is getting, he wants to be the main star, he wants to carry PPVs & for the most part has said as much. In doing so of COURSE they are attempting to build PPV's around this guy & him being the main attraction as it seems that's what he wants. When the main attraction of the PPV is now out of the picture, how can you still put on said PPV? I'm certain if they could have put it on Fueltv they would have but something tells me that was not an option. So with that, do you still put on a PPV that will likely tank or do you reset & try again at another PPV...the latter seems as the better option.
For the record, you turn down Chael Sonnen but you accept Vitor Belfort, while I believe it will have nice numbers...Chael Sonnen brings in the very numbers that Jon Jones is claiming he did not want to fight Machida for.

[W.Silva>C.Norris]

Originally Posted by Rise

While I'm sure many of the fighters on the under card would have taken the fight if the places were reversed. Few and far between would have done it in order to benefit the other fighters.

To keep a card on the air? I think you're wrong there. I think the VAST MAJORITY of fighters would have stepped up and taken the fight. At most, I can see a lot of guys insisting on a rematch clause in case of loss.

Originally Posted by Rise

Saying Jones should have fought for them isn't a realistic. The average person given the choice is always going to do what they think benefits themselves first and foremost. Human nature is to protect yourself and those close to you In this case Jones didn't think the fight worked in his interests for whatever reason.

from the halfassed excuses he offered, Id say its because greg jackson wasnt there to hold his hand.

Originally Posted by Rise

The onus on this card failing falls solely on the UFC they could have planned much better for this. Having been clear who would be stepping in as potential replacements in advance would be a start. Why wait til the last second to throw someone in. They have LHW's on the sideline waiting to compete throw a few bucks at them and say be ready in case and tie into the main event/co main event fight contracts that these guys may step in. To top it off they have continually been throwing out consistently less then stellar name ppv's for a while now this was bound to happen. They seriously need to look at the frequency of events and start changing up the amount and where the star power is allocated.

They waited because Henderson got denied by the doctor about 10 minutes before dana and zuffa started making phone calls for replacements. Why would you tie up a top contender in a weight class simply to have a back up plan? what fighter is going to choose to wait around as an alternate and earn 0, when they could take a fight and get paid? And how can you complain about watered down cards, when they just gave you on fox the most amazing card Ive seen in a while what? 2 weeks ago? Welcome to professional sports. Every now and then you need to watch the browns play the raiders.