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[Fe1]

Rumor: Stephan Bonnar to Replace Sonnen, Face Forrest Griffin at UFC 155 | Bleacher Report

Tuesday was a hot day for breng UFC news as we learned that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will face Chael Sonnen in April following their coaching stints on The Ultimate Fighter, according to Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times.

While that news is great, it left a hole at the top of the UFC 155 card when it was announced that the Jones-Sonnen booking would leave Forrest Griffin without an opponent at UFC 155. Well, the ultimate "company man" is here to save the day once again.

As reported on Twitter early Wednesday morning, Stephan Bonnar will step up and replace Chael Sonnen at UFC 155 against rival and buddy Forrest Griffin:

*Breaking* According to industry insider "Mac", Stephan Bonnar will step in for Chael Sonnen at UFC 155 to face Forrest Griffin on 12.29

Now, you may ask if this is too much, too soon for Stephan Bonnar.

He is coming off a recent TKO loss to middleweight champion Anderson Silva, but Bonnar has been pleading with Dana White for one final shot at Griffin. It seems White has decided to reward Bonnar for saving UFC 153 with this final bout with Griffin.

The two men met for the first time at the first TUF finale in a fight that many consider the most important fight in MMA history (Griffin defeated Bonnar by unanimous decision to win the first season of The Ultimate Fighter).

The two would have a rematch at UFC 62, and Griffin picked up the decision victory.

With Griffin leading the series 2-0, it's odd to see a third fight get booked. Still, it's hard not to be excited when you consider the high-caliber fights the first two were.

It was also reported on Twitter that this will be a retirement fight for both men, which could be another reason White gave in to the fight.

Although it is a little sad to imagine two legends of the sport fighting for the final time, we can rest easy knowing we are just a couple months away from seeing two of the most exciting fighters in UFC history lay it all out on the line one final time.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

I have no problem with this. Great farewell fight for the both of them.

[Cat--Smasher]

Forrest Griffin glad he's no longer fighting 'boring' and 'tedious' Chael Sonnen at UFC 155 - MMAmania.com

During a segment on FUEL TV's "UFC Tonight," on air correspondent Ariel Helwani talked about a conversation he had with Griffin, directly after he received the news of his cancelled bout with Sonnen.

Check it out:

"Forrest doesn't know. I actually just spoke to him, moments ago. He said he just found out about the news, as well. He doesn't know if he'll still fight on the UFC 155 card at the end of the year, but he did have a couple interesting things to say Chael. He said, 'I don't blame Chael for taking this fight. Why work your way to the top, if you can talk your way to the top?' And he did say, somewhat jokingly, 'I'm actually glad that I'm not fighting him now, because watching his fights was so boring and tedious.'"

[scottsec]

Pfffttttt......the UFC is fucking this shit all up.... Sonnen vs JJ and Forest vs Bonnar.....a fight that is a complete waste of time and another that ive seen twice and could NEVER get any better than the original....lame.

[Y2JUBAE]

Been looking forward to this fight to see how it goes years later.

[Fe1]

I'm pretty excited about this actually. Both of these guys always put on a show. I expect them both to go out there and leave everything in the cage like they did the first time. Especially where there's a good chance that this is it for both of them. They're going to go out with a bang.

[rivethead]

Originally Posted by scottsec

Pfffttttt......the UFC is fucking this shit all up.... Sonnen vs JJ and Forest vs Bonnar.....a fight that is a complete waste of time and another that ive seen twice and could NEVER get any better than the original....lame.

You don't get it.

the most important this is selling ad space on that crap reality show. Everything else is secondary.

I hear this year, they're going to change that tired old format way up: Instead of taking everything even remotely resembling a way to spend time constructively in the house, they're going to give the fighters lots and lots of alcohol! It's going to be off the hook!


rh

[Supe]

Originally Posted by rivethead

You don't get it.

the most important this is selling ad space on that crap reality show. Everything else is secondary.

I hear this year, they're going to change that tired old format way up: Instead of taking everything even remotely resembling a way to spend time constructively in the house, they're going to give the fighters lots and lots of alcohol! It's going to be off the hook!


rh

I can see the commercial for this season now:

"The Ultimate Fighter is back and, this time, shit's getting REAL:

Dana White: "We decided to change the fuckin format this year. So in-fuckin-stead of both teams training at different sessions during the fuckin day, they are going to share the fuckin gym and locker rooms. This will open up more time for the 2 new fuckin activities we are adding to the fuckin show. After noon jobs working at a fuckin ice cream store and nights they work as fuckin bouncers but have to drink a fuckin bottle of grain alcohol before each fuckin shift. Its gonna be amazing. If they want to be in the UFC they better be ready to fuckin fight, and drink...fuck."

Get ready for classic zingers from the coaches such as!!:

Chael: "You got my belt you whiny baby bitch." "I've been slappin kids like you around since before you learned how to drive....drunk" and "I'm sending Jones back to no internet down in Curibita....what? He's not Brazillian? But hes dark just like that Silva guy...whatever"

and wait til you hear what Jon Jones has to say!!!!

Jon: "Gregg..........WAHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Tune in for the newest season of The Ultimate Fighter: TUF Sonnen v Jones: Who the fuck cares about Contenders Season.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

It'll be just like the first fight they had.....except in slow-motion.

[scottsec]

Originally Posted by Fe1

I'm pretty excited about this actually. Both of these guys always put on a show. I expect them both to go out there and leave everything in the cage like they did the first time. Especially where there's a good chance that this is it for both of them. They're going to go out with a bang.

Why would you expect it to be like the first fight?? The second fight wasnt even close to the first so why would the third be any better. The first fight was and always will be a classic but that shit is over...the rematch was enough a third fight between these guys is just stupid imo...