UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

[jeremym480]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

The more I hear Bones talk the more and more I dislike him. What a douche.

[TheShizNo1]

The more I hear Bones talk the more and more I dislike him. What a douche.

There's something about him I can't put my finger on. He reminds me of a more take Emmitt Smith as far as how he's goal oriented. I believe he's truly humble, and didn't expect to be this successful, this fast. I'm also not sure he knows how to handle it. A PR person in his corner would do wonders for him.

[XFactah416]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

Bones is without a doubt arrogant and cocky as hell. Dude said it himself on the Insider. You don't make comments like "Rashad is at the end of the line, and I'm gonna prove it." and then say "call that cocky" and then try to say you're humble. But I also don't think that you can blame him: he's accomplished so much in such a short amount of time, and will arguably be the best LHW ever if he beats Rashad. Dominating wins over Rampage, Shogun, Lyoto, Rashad (basically the top 5 LHWs in the game..), as well as victories over opponents like Bader, Vladdy, Vera, and Stephan Bonnar. He already had the best year in MMA history.

Honestly I'd rather him just be real about it. A lot of what Bones says in public interviews seems very scripted and robotic, GSP-like and when he's forced to be spontaneous, it's not as comfortable for him. See when he was on UFC on Fox 2 or when he was on SpikeTV promoting the Rampage fight.

And without a doubt Jackson sold Rashad out. He sold Diego out too. Most people understood that Bones was going to be special, and much sooner rather than later which is why Rashad was very hesitant to allow Bones in the camp. Bones all but confirmed himself too that he knew someday down the line that he was gonna fight Rashad even after joining the camp.

[TheShizNo1]

But aren't all the top guys cocky to some extent or another? Do we really expect him to go on prime time and talk about how much he likes and respects Rashad and doesn't want to fight him? He's trying to promote a fight on a horrible care. This fight has storylines galore.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

And how is Jones and Jackson betraying Evans, if Rashad feels that strongly about not wanting to fight a teammate then he shouldn't be wanting a title shot he should either wait for Jon to lose it to go after it or drop down to middleweight and challenge Silva. It's not Jones' fault, he should have to defend his title against the top challenger and Rashad should just be glad that it's him right now and take what he can get.

- They arent teammates anymore.
- Evans was owed a LHW title shot before Jones got his.
- During the promotion for Jones/Rua, Evans said he would drop to 185 if Jones won the belt because Jones and him promised to never fight each other.
- That only changed when Jones went on Versus and said he would fight Rashad if he had too.

Its completely Jones' fault. Jones flip flopped on fighting Evans.

[TheShizNo1]

So Evans couldn't have said no? It takes two to tango. Again, how do you fight in the same weight class and expect to not fight. Bones was supposed to deny the title shot? He had just dominated Bader and Rogan rushes in offering a title shot, 24(?) years old, he's supposed to say no?

I seriously don't understand this thinking. My best friend and I had this convo before. We just said we'd go in different weight classes. Again, see Big Nog/Lil Nog and Silva/Machida.

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

So Evans couldn't have said no? It takes two to tango. Again, how do you fight in the same weight class and expect to not fight. Bones was supposed to deny the title shot? He had just dominated Bader and Rogan rushes in offering a title shot, 24(?) years old, he's supposed to say no?

I seriously don't understand this thinking. My best friend and I had this convo before. We just said we'd go in different weight classes. Again, see Big Nog/Lil Nog and Silva/Machida.

Fitch and Koscheck have fought in the same weight class and company for years and never fought. Diaz and Shields fight in the same weight class and company and will never fight. Its possible.

Also you have the facts all wrong. Evans told Jones the night before the Bader fight that he was injured and that if he won the Bader fight, he would probably get a shot at Rua. Evans told him to take the fight. After the Bader fight, Evans said SEVERAL times that he was thinking about dropping to 185 if Jones won and that he didnt believe in fighting teammates.

Why would Evans say "no" when Jones tells the world that he would fight him? How does that make Evans look? In order for that to work, both fighters have to remain strong. Thats why Fitch and Kos have never fought. Every time Dana goads them about them being two top 5 WW and never fighting they stand firm and say it will never happen.

I like Jones and I think he could be huge for this sport but its clear that he and Jackson snaked Evans. Jackson wanted the best of both worlds...the new hot prospect and the established #1 contender.

[TheShizNo1]

Ok, I give you the Diaz/Shield and Kos/Fitch examples (no choice lol).

How does it make Evans look? You concerned about how you look or the morals you aligned yourself with? Jackson made a business decision and Jones said what I would expect a fighter to say. I don't think it's anyone's "fault".

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

Ok, I give you the Diaz/Shield and Kos/Fitch examples (no choice lol).

How does it make Evans look? You concerned about how you look or the morals you aligned yourself with? Jackson made a business decision and Jones said what I would expect a fighter to say. I don't think it's anyone's "fault".

Why would you be loyal to someone who isnt loyal to you? Evans was willing to sacrifice a title shot, a huge PPV percentage, endorsements and move down to a weight class he's never fought at out of loyalty to Jackson's and Jones. Why would you make all those sacrifices if the guy you are being loyal to is saying he wouldnt do the same? That makes no sense.

I blame Jackson more than Jones. 5 fighters made Greg Jackson (GSP, Evans, Sanchez, Jardine, Marquardt). He should have loyalty to those guys who made him a household name. He shouldve told Evans "We are bringing in Jones because I think he can bring alot to the camp. If you dont want to work with him thats fine. I'll even give you separate coaches and if you ever fight I wont coach either of you."

Instead he said "Fighters at Jackson's dont fight each other so dont worry about it" even though Evans said he was concerned about it. Its funny that 4 of the 5 fighters who made that camp are no longer there.

[TheShizNo1]

Hm, touché. Lol

[XFactah416]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

Aholbert said it best: Jackson wanted the #1 rising phenom in the sport under his banner (who wouldn't???) and was willing to basically throw Rashad under the bus. He found a new, better cash cow and threw out his old one. It's just business but if you can't trust your trainers and your teachers, why stay?

The ironic thing is though that while GSP helped create the reputation for Jackson's, it wasn't as if he was actually there training all day. They even mentioned it on the Primetime series (maybe it was against Hardy or maybe it was against Shields, I forget), but essentially all Jackson did was create the gameplan for GSP and GSP trains primarily up in Montreal with his own camp in Tristar, but I think he would train with some of the Jackson fighters (like Rashad or Nate). Obviously Diego left Jackson's but is now back, but that was the same situation here. I think Jardine still resides at Jackson's, and I think Nate might be on amicable terms with Jackson since I think he does the majority of his training at Grudge Training Center with Trevor Wittman and that's an affiliate of Jackson's.

Note that Rashad also said that he would never fight Jardine either, and it's all because of the whole camp fraternity that forms where you're working and pushing your teammates to the limit to get better. Why else do people think that Fitch and Koscheck say that if you want to see them fight, go down to AKA (well before Kos left AKA anyway).

And sure, Bones might be promoting the event, but you certainly don't need to be a body language expert nor have a PhD in Psychology to see that Bones really is arrogant as hell. Again though, I really have no problem with it because he IS that good and you need that type of belief in yourself to be great, but let's not try and fool ourselves here into thinking he's some humble hero.

[mtoo22]

Fitch and Koscheck have fought in the same weight class and company for years and never fought. Diaz and Shields fight in the same weight class and company and will never fight. Its possible.

Also you have the facts all wrong. Evans told Jones the night before the Bader fight that he was injured and that if he won the Bader fight, he would probably get a shot at Rua. Evans told him to take the fight. After the Bader fight, Evans said SEVERAL times that he was thinking about dropping to 185 if Jones won and that he didnt believe in fighting teammates.

Why would Evans say "no" when Jones tells the world that he would fight him? How does that make Evans look? In order for that to work, both fighters have to remain strong. Thats why Fitch and Kos have never fought. Every time Dana goads them about them being two top 5 WW and never fighting they stand firm and say it will never happen.

I like Jones and I think he could be huge for this sport but its clear that he and Jackson snaked Evans. Jackson wanted the best of both worlds...the new hot prospect and the established #1 contender.

But neither Diaz/Shields or Koscheck/Fitch are champion and number 1 contender. If this is you're livelihood and you want to be the best, you may have to suck it up and fight someone you like at some point. Unless this is boxing..

West by God

[aholbert32]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

But neither Diaz/Shields or Koscheck/Fitch are champion and number 1 contender. If this is you're livelihood and you want to be the best, you may have to suck it up and fight someone you like at some point. Unless this is boxing..

West by God

Again thats not the point. The point is that Jones flip flopped once he got a sniff of the belt. I don't believe in refusing to fight teammates but there is no excuse for Jones. He made a promise and reneged once he got a title shot.

[SidVish]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

I don't really care about why they're fighting but I'm just glad they are. It's also a plus because there is some legit animosity between them and Jackson's camp.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: UFC 145 - Jon "Bones" Jones Vs Rashad Evans, April 21

Seriously, the storyline has gotten beyond old and I would rather not overanalyze the situation.

The fight was supposed to happen so long ago that I've grown really callous to this beef and the entire discussion. How many times do we all have to hear about it and discuss it. Haha