UFC
Dan Henderson doesn't blame Chael Sonnen for Jon Jones booking, but says it degrades the sport
Oct 18, 2012 - 3:45:19 PM

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Dan Henderson took to Twitter this week to express his frustration with the UFC's decision to book Chael Sonnen against Jon Jones. Henderson commented that perhaps he should stop training to fight and instead go to "s***-talking school," as that worked for Sonnen in getting the fight, though he clarified on Thursday where his frustrations are directed.

Taking to Twitter once again, Henderson said he's not holding anything against Sonnen for getting the fight, but he does think the fight booking is a mark against the sport.

"And just to make it clear, I will always [have] love for Chael and don't blame him for saying yes to a big opportunity," Henderson wrote. "But giving him that fight [right] now degrades the sport of MMA."

UFC President Dana White didn't seem to have an answer on Wednesday as to why Henderson wasn't in line for the April event outside of saying Henderson was still injured and he didn't know what was going on with him. Still, he'll likely take another fight in the meantime, and will likely get a shot at Jones later in 2013.

Penick's Analysis: The UFC didn't even approach Henderson about doing The Ultimate Fighter and taking the fight against Jones in April. Though they railed against everyone else who "turned down a fight" with Jones when Sonnen stepped up, Henderson has been the odd man out. Still, he's not the first fighter to lose a title shot after being out of action over a year. Not even in this division. By April he'd have been out of action 17 months, and they may not have gone with him because of that. Still, Sonnen getting the fight definitely is because of him talking his way into it, though he's not apologizing for that. Also, Jones himself decided to go that route, so he's a part of that as well.

[Dan Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]