Chael Sonnen is never one to mince words and Thursday was no different, describing his UFC 159 main event bout with Jon Jones simply as “an ass-whooping contest.”
The former No. 1 middleweight contender, who as of Thursday night was a 6-to-1 underdog, knows he’s in for a tough challenge at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., but is more than willing to play spoiler.
“He’s the best guy I’ve ever fought … but I’m the best guy he’s ever fought,” Sonnen told Showdown Joe Ferraro. “He’s the champion of the crappiest division in the UFC. I’m the silver medallist, shamefully, but of the best division in the UFC.”
Sonnen and Jones will meet for the UFC light-heavyweight title following their coaching stints on The Ultimate Fighter 17. Many believe Sonnen, known as the king of trash talk in MMA, got this shot by flapping his gums and not by his accomplishments in the Octagon.
Still, fans are excited to see what will happen between him and Jones.
“This is a fight that nobody thought they’d get to see, including myself,” Sonnen said. “I never thought this fight would happen; we’re not even in the same weight class. And fans love that.
“Fans love super-fights; Dana White gets begged for super-fights all the time and he’s giving them one.”
Watch below as Sonnen talks about not having to cut as much weight as usual and gives his thoughts on what will be his third UFC title shot. Plus, the other stars of UFC 159 weigh in with their thoughts on their matchups.
UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones discusses what it would mean to submit Chael Sonnen and the sacrifices fighters need to make to pursue greatness:
Michael Bisping was disrespected by some of the things Alan Blecher has said and done in the lead-up to their fight.
“I’m going to teach him the error of his ways Saturday night.”
Alan Belcher says all the trash talk between him and Michael Bisping is over.
“I’m not ready to talk anymore. I’m ready to fight. Saturday night I’m going to back up everything I’ve said and he’s going to have to do the same.”
Roy Nelson (and his wild beard) talks about where he thinks a win would put him in the heavyweight rankings:
Cheick Kongo says that he and Roy Nelson are gatekeepers at the moment and looking towards becoming contenders:
