UFC
UFC 152's Michael Bisping expresses his confusion, disappointment in Jon Jones turning down Chael Sonnen
Aug 28, 2012 - 3:35:05 PM UFC 152's Michael Bisping expresses his confusion, disappointment in Jon Jones turning down Chael Sonnen

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"Listen. When you're the champion, when you're the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion of the world, you gotta take fights. It's hard for me to judge Jon Jones. He's a hell of a fighter, and he'll go down in history as the youngest champion ever. He's incredible, but, I've got to say, I was a little disappointed when he didn't take the fight. He was offered a fight against Chael Sonnen on eight days notice. I, personally, was offered a fight against Chael Sonnen on eight days notice. I chose to take that fight. I don't know what that means. I don't know what those facts say. Maybe it means I'm a badass. I took the fight. I'm just confused as to why Jon Jones didn't. I think it's a fight Jones would have won. Obviously, he would have been in better shape than Chael. He's been preparing for that night, so it's a little confusing."

-Michael Bisping chimes in on the Jon Jones/UFC 151 cancellation conversation during an appearance on AXS TV's Inside MMA (transcribed by BloodyElbow.com).

Penick's Analysis: This is a perfectly reasonable stance to take on Jon Jones, and really the reaction that was warranted from Dana White, not the vitriolic burying he delivered. It's fine to be disappointed in Jones and confused as to why he didn't take the fight with Sonnen, because he would have been the more prepared of the two, and even at full preparation Jones is a favorite over Sonnen every single time. Bisping's situation was different when it came to the Sonnen fight in January, because he was jumping into a more high profile fight himself that would move him up the ladder quicker, while Jones would have been risking his title on a fight he hadn't prepared for. They're not entirely comparable scenarios, but Bisping's still got a point when it comes to that.

[Michael Bisping art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]