Jon Jones: "This is About Me Taking Care of Chael Sonnen"

Author:
Opposing Views Staff
Updated:
Mar 1, 2018
Original:
Oct 19, 2012

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones sees his fight with Chael Sonnen a little different than a lot of others. The two will coach on The Ultimate Fighter, which begins filming later this month, and will meet in April for the title.

Sonnen earned himself a shot at the belt despite having fought just once in the UFC at light heavyweight. He is coming off a loss to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, but accepted a bout with "Bones" when no one else would.

"Now people are asking why fight Chael? Well, they have jumped on the 'Chael didn't deserve' train too late," said Jones, during a recent conference call. "They should have said that a month ago when I said it. But, now, I'm going to deal with this guy and put the Chael Sonnen chapter behind me."

Jones continued, saying, "This has nothing to do with the belt in my mind. He's not even getting close to the belt. This is about me taking care of Chael Sonnen. I respect some of the things he does for the sport, but he's not a championship-level athlete. I'm doing the sport a favor - and I'm doing Chael a favor - beating him and sending him to his true calling as a commentator doing TV shows."

Since winning the belt, Jones has successfully defended it four times. If he tops Sonnen, he will tie the UFC mark for light heavyweight title defenses with Tito Ortiz. "Bones" is also undergoing rehab for his injured elbow, which he will balance while filming TUF.