CRAZINESS! Lyoto Machida Turns Down Title Shot, Jon Jones To Face Vitor Belfort At UFC 152 |
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isk
Standup Guy
Career record: 0-0
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Texas
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Of course Lorenzo's gonna say something like that. He likes fighters who step up and fight at any time. They're good for the company line. I'm sure he understands the idea of a legacy, of a fighter's concern for their long-term career. But he helped build the UFC largely with guys like Liddell who'd fight anyone, anytime.
It's the difference between a fighter, and an athlete who fights for a living.
Bear in mind I don't bear any ill will towards Jon Jones or Greg Jackson for this. They made the call they felt was right at the time, and it'd be difficult to predict the outcome. There's no precedent for this in UFC history, certainly not since I started watching in 2005. It's extremely unfortunate for the other fighters involved, and I hope the UFC brass takes care of 'em. But yes, this plus recent comments from Bones clearly shows his mindset at this point of his career, and that may be something someone can exploit - taking him into the deep waters, if anyone is physically able to.
I'm interested to see what long-term impact this has. Certainly Bones will be the villain at the next fight, and Belfort (who's already a popular guy) will get a ton of support on top of being the underdog people would root for anyway.
Three exciting finishes later, few folks talk about Anderson Silva's tepid performances against Leites and Maia. Would Bones be able to do the same, or does the fact that this happened outside a fight continue to haunt him? Will it be the asterisk in his career?
I'll say this - I haven't had as much of an OH SHIT reaction for MMA news since the UFC bought out Pride.
Last edited 8/24/12 1:41PM by isk
Edit note/reason: n/a
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Post #61 8/24/12 1:39:57PM
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Chael_Sonnen
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 521-343
Season: 17-7 (#819)
Location: SAY MY NAME
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For the "Men" that stepped up - - -
Chael Sonnen = real fighter
Vitor Belfort = real fighter
Chris Weidman = real fighter
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JJ (kid non-dynamite) = Mixed-marital-artist
(will only fight when the stars and moon are aligned correctly)
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Post #62 8/24/12 1:47:08PM
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MMAcca
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 944-552
Season: 20-4 (#104)
Location: North East of England
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Posted by MALICE
The sport is changing.
Politics > Pride 
Great point.
I hope you're wrong though.
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Post #63 8/24/12 1:57:54PM
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Twenty20Dollars
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 847-533
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location:
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Not like Jones stepped in to face Shogun or anything.
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Post #64 8/24/12 2:21:40PM
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REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Career record: 820-501
Season: 20-4 (#127)
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
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Posted by Twenty20Dollars
Not like Jones stepped in to face Shogun or anything.
Now that he's champ he won't afford someone the same? Pfft
_______________________________________
Rabi 4/25/13
#2 UFC 112
#12 TUF 8 FINALE
#12 Bellator 91 / Legacy FC / CCCW Combo
#14 UFC 143
#21 Bellator 53/MFC 31
#23 Strikeforce Tate vs Rousey
#23 Bellator/OneFC/Invicta/MFW/ROC/HFC Combo
" Dream As If You'll Live Forever, Live As If You'll Die Today"- James Dean
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Post #65 8/24/12 2:24:44PM
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REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Career record: 820-501
Season: 20-4 (#127)
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
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Posted by Chael_Sonnen
For the "Men" that stepped up - - -
Chael Sonnen = real fighter
Vitor Belfort = real fighter
Chris Weidman = real fighter
------------------------------
JJ (kid non-dynamite) = Mixed-marital-artist
(will only fight when the stars and moon are aligned correctly)
gotta spread my seed but ill hit you up later
_______________________________________
Rabi 4/25/13
#2 UFC 112
#12 TUF 8 FINALE
#12 Bellator 91 / Legacy FC / CCCW Combo
#14 UFC 143
#21 Bellator 53/MFC 31
#23 Strikeforce Tate vs Rousey
#23 Bellator/OneFC/Invicta/MFW/ROC/HFC Combo
" Dream As If You'll Live Forever, Live As If You'll Die Today"- James Dean
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Post #66 8/24/12 2:26:40PM
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Sir_Karl
MMA Sensei
Career record: 860-625
Season: 17-7 (#644)
Location: The Empire State
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Jon Jones has more drama than a daytime Soap Opera. It is getting quite old.
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Post #67 8/24/12 2:48:24PM
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Manak
Belt Contender
Career record: 154-103
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Texas
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hahaha read an yahoo article that stated this:
"As Jones has gotten more successful in the cage – his 2011 campaign might be the best in the sport's history – his popularity has waned among fans and media. His publicist quit last week, frustrated by Jones' prickly style and inability to deal well with the media."
also in the same article has chuck in it to:
"The fans want to think their favorite, their world champion, is indestructible, and believe he can beat anyone," Liddell said. "From a fan's standpoint, you want to believe your guy would fight anyone at any place at any time. Him saying no to a guy fans perceive as a middleweight isn't going to help his image at all."
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Post #68 8/24/12 2:50:02PM
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Twenty20Dollars
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 847-533
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location:
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Posted by prophecy033
Posted by Twenty20Dollars
Not like Jones stepped in to face Shogun or anything.
Now that he's champ he won't afford someone the same? Pfft
I see what you mean in a sense. But different terms of Jones was a rising contender and Sonnen a MW coming up to LHW. And Jones has at least stepped up oncebefore, so it's not like saying he hasn't done it ever.
Maybe that fight affected Shogun's decision. Knowing he fought Jones as a late change and lost. Then maybe losing twice to Jones would put him out of the mix for a long time. Just guesses.
I don't see it much different than Condit not fighting anyone until GSP is ready. Silva not wanting to fight Weidman.
I just expected a different comment from Lorezno.
I bet the SF Giants are pissed about Melky testing positive, but they aren't going bat shit crazy on him with the media.
What I want to see is the best fights happens and if that means waiting a little longer, then that's fine by me.
Last edited 8/24/12 3:00PM by twenty20dollars
Edit note/reason: n/a
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Post #69 8/24/12 2:58:49PM
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meier
Standup Guy
Career record: 442-430
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: @Rapture2Christ
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Still no excuse for not steppin up
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Post #70 8/24/12 3:07:46PM
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sbulldavid
MMA Sensei
Career record: 834-488
Season: 21-3 (#379)
Location:
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Posted by prophecy033
Posted by Twenty20Dollars
Not like Jones stepped in to face Shogun or anything.
Now that he's champ he won't afford someone the same? Pfft
This right here shows the real colors of JBJ, and Jackson, they were ready to stomp on their own for a title shot but they won't give somebody else a chance unless the money is right.
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Post #71 8/24/12 3:15:01PM
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Manak
Belt Contender
Career record: 154-103
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Texas
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Posted by Twenty20Dollars
I don't see it much different than Condit not fighting anyone until GSP is ready. Silva not wanting to fight Weidman.
not the same, ufc asked condit if he wants to wait or fight he said wait so they didn't book him, and andy or weidman have not been booked because of a gsp/anderson possibility. jones was signed to fight on 151 and headline. not to mention he just blasted guys on TRT so this was another way to back up even more of his mouth which has been running a lot lately. not mention hendo was still wanting to fight he said if he could walk to the cage he would fight he was literally forced to not fight, either way jones fucked up hard
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Post #72 8/24/12 3:22:57PM
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Twenty20Dollars
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 847-533
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location:
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Posted by sbulldavid
Posted by prophecy033
Posted by Twenty20Dollars
Not like Jones stepped in to face Shogun or anything.
Now that he's champ he won't afford someone the same? Pfft
This right here shows the real colors of JBJ, and Jackson, they were ready to stomp on their own for a title shot but they won't give somebody else a chance unless the money is right.
I already knew that by the money comments he had made before this.
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Post #73 8/24/12 3:23:46PM
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Twenty20Dollars
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 847-533
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location:
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Posted by Manak
Posted by Twenty20Dollars
I don't see it much different than Condit not fighting anyone until GSP is ready. Silva not wanting to fight Weidman.
not the same, ufc asked condit if he wants to wait or fight he said wait so they didn't book him, and andy or weidman have not been booked because of a gsp/anderson possibility. jones was signed to fight on 151 and headline. not to mention he just blasted guys on TRT so this was another way to back up even more of his mouth which has been running a lot lately. not mention hendo was still wanting to fight he said if he could walk to the cage he would fight he was literally forced to not fight, either way jones fucked up hard
I didn't say it was the same. Why should Condit get to wait, though? Just because they gave him the option?
They apparently don't need Condit to fight as bad as Jones, though. Otherwise they would have made Condit fight already. They put Jones on the next card w/o having a set opponent.
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Post #74 8/24/12 3:30:19PM
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bjj1605
MMA Sensei
Career record: 889-537
Season: 20-4 (#531)
Location: Chicago
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Posted by Chael_Sonnen
For the "Men" that stepped up - - -
Chael Sonnen = real fighter
Vitor Belfort = real fighter
Chris Weidman = real fighter
------------------------------
JJ (kid non-dynamite) = Mixed-marital-artist
(will only fight when the stars and moon are aligned correctly)
Don't forget Anderson Silva. He tried to save the 151 card.
I gave Chael Sonnen his props for the way he's handled this situation. You ought to give the Spider his.
Machida has lost some points with me for this, but it isn't as bad as Jon Jones. I wish he would have taken the fight, but I can at least understand his refusal.
I agree with $20 though that they should just sideline Jones until they have fight that makes sense for him. Also, why the hell would the UFC announce Jones vs Machida II if it wasn't official and Machida hadn't signed on to fight? Dumb on their part.
Belfort vs Jones isn't that interesting. On the one hand, Belfort has fast explosive hands with lots of power. You might think he could catch Jones and put him away. But then you realize that Jones will have a massive reach advantage and that he can always fall back on his wrestling. If JJ ever starts to feel uncomfortable, he will take Belfort down and treat him like a child.
The only chance Belfort has is a one-hitter-quitter.
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Post #75 8/24/12 3:40:32PM
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