UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

[Dirk504]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

This keeps getting brought up. Mayweather is no more of a ducker than Pacquiao in the situation. And Mayweather ducking other fighters? You kidding me? He beats guys who become contenders and then sends them off to Pacquiao two years later. Pacquiao fights the scraps of fighters that mayweather already went through, so this whole selectively fighting people? get a clue - Totally different situation as to why that fight hasn't happened and FAR from being a coward like Jones just showed.

Everything else though in your post, I'd agree with

Exactly! Who has Mayweather even ducked or not fought besides Pac? And Bob Arum is the one ruining that fight.

[aholbert32]

Seriously Machida? Give the damn shot to Gus then, but Belfort? My lasting images of him are still of Silva's foot in his face.

Gus doesnt want to take the fight on short notice and is still recovering from an injury. The only other choice is Sonnen and Dana said he wont make that fight for Toronto. He said it wouldnt be fair to the Mandalay Bay to cancel the event because jones wouldnt take the Sonnen fight on short notice and then schedule the same fight in Toronto on short notice.

Also Belfort has more fights at LHW than Sonnen so if you are ok with Sonnen getting a short notice fight, you should be ok with Belfort. Plus technically his last fight was at LHW when he beat Rumble when he couldnt make weight.


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[Gibbz]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

I totally understand where all the hate is coming from and perhaps it's justified, but the UFC did decide to throw in a new fighter last minute who's coming off a loss to fight for his title. To say the least, Sonnen hasn't paid his dues and absolutely does not deserve to fight for the title at 205. (Yet) I also understand that that it is not Jones's position to decide who fights him for his title but I get where he's coming from.

The whole "he's letting down the families of other fighters" argument is ridiculous. He's not responsible for the livelihood of others. If they don't like it they can cut his ***. If not, management should quit publicly destroying one of their top fighters and the future of the sport. Dana White is just so damn childish--he certainly has every right to be angry at Jones but any time something happens he addresses it like a toddler who just lost his lollipop. He's like some mutant, less effeminate version of Mark Cuban.

[aholbert32]

Sure he hasn't made them money as much as those guys that have been fighting in the big league for YEARS, but he has made them some money not to mention gotten them a bit more exposure, it's not like he's keith jardine or someone like that, they do rely on him to headline shows obviously....sorry for not sifting through all 15 pages of the thread. I see they are rescheduling the fights, and it's good they are paying the fighters our a little something.

If Dana wants MMA to gain more "legitimacy" then he has to handle himself as such. It's sad to see him trash fighters that have fought hard, put on exciting shows, and gained them lots of money. I mean really who else does that?? Just say he turned down the fight and move on, i hate when people in power especially point the finger instead of taking responsibility. I like Dana, but I hate the way he handles things like this and trashes people in press conferences, interviews, and twitter.

Who else handles himself as such? Lets go down the list...how about every major fight promoter. Arum, Schafer, King, Duva...they all have. There are instances where they all have trashed a fighter who failed to hold up his end of the bargain. The fight game is a partnership with a fighter. The promoter puts on events, spends money up front to secure the venue, secures the PPV distribution and spends money promoting the fight. The fighter spends nothing prior to the fight and carries no financial risk. His only job is to train, show up on weight and fight on the selected date. Jones didnt hold up his bargain because he is refusing to fight on the 1st.

Thats kind of sad especially when the UFC was completely supportive during his DUI troubles and didnt trash him when he brought negative press to the sport. Good to see Jones pay that support back.

You say he isnt Keith Jardine but Jardine has headlined 2 PPVs that have outdrawn every Jones PPV except the Jones/Evans fight. Stop with the "gained lots of money" because of Jones argument because its not true. He hasnt drawn more than the last 4 LHW champions so its not Jones' name thats drawing yet.


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[aholbert32]

I totally understand where all the hate is coming from and perhaps it's justified, but the UFC did decide to throw in a new fighter last minute who's coming off a loss to fight for his title. To say the least, Sonnen hasn't paid his dues and absolutely does not deserve to fight for the title at 205. (Yet) I also understand that that it is not Jones's position to decide who fights him for his title but I get where he's coming from.

The whole "he's letting down the families of other fighters" argument is ridiculous. He's not responsible for the livelihood of others. If they don't like it they can cut his ***. If not, management should quit publicly destroying one of their top fighters and the future of the sport. Dana White is just so damn childish--he certainly has every right to be angry at Jones but any time something happens he addresses it like a toddler who just lost his lollipop. He's like some mutant, less effeminate version of Mark Cuban.

He IS responsible for the other fighters. HE IS THE ****ING MAIN EVENT. HE IS THE DRAW. He is the reason people are going to UFC 151 and thats the reason he gets paid more, gets a ppv percentage and gets huge sponsor money. With that comes the responsibility that you will show and fight who the organization says you will. You are the UFC champion so you fight who the UFC says you should fight. So indirectly because you are the draw and 20 other fighters are on the card helping you support it..its ur responsibility to show up and fight.

This is the tipping point folks. For all you people who complained about fighter pay and giving fighters mor control, I hope you are happy. We now have primadonnas like Silva and Jones refusing fights, handpicking opponents and holding up belts.

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[aholbert32]

3 weeks to get into fighting shape for a title shot, he could do it but it's not ideal for what likely would be his last shot at the title. I don't blame him. He is promised the next shot anyway. He doesnt have to step up on short notice. It's not like he was already scheduled to fight on the card for a different opponent, was in fighting shape, and then ducked a Middleweight coming off a loss.

The only problem is Hendo is still in line. Say Hendo isnt ready until January. That pushes Machida back to April/May at best. Thats almost a year on the shelf.


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[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

Who else handles himself as such? Lets go down the list...how about every major fight promoter. Arum, Schafer, King, Duva...they all have. There are instances where they all have trashed a fighter who failed to hold up his end of the bargain. The fight game is a partnership with a fighter. The promoter puts on events, spends money up front to secure the venue, secures the PPV distribution and spends money promoting the fight. The fighter spends nothing prior to the fight and carries no financial risk. His only job is to train, show up on weight and fight on the selected date. Jones didnt hold up his bargain because he is refusing to fight on the 1st.

Thats kind of sad especially when the UFC was completely supportive during his DUI troubles and didnt trash him when he brought negative press to the sport. Good to see Jones pay that support back.

You say he isnt Keith Jardine but Jardine has headlined 2 PPVs that have outdrawn every Jones PPV except the Jones/Evans fight. Stop with the "gained lots of money" because of Jones argument because its not true. He hasnt drawn more than the last 4 LHW champions so its not Jones' name thats drawing yet.


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This is right on the money. Jones backing out of a change of opponent is really unacceptable. It's not like he was being asked to come off the couch in 8 days to fight, like Sonnen offered to do. He was asked to take a change of opponent due to injury, something that happens all the time, an Jones is the first ever to decline the change in opponent. If he loses the belt, I can see him getting the Fitch treatment as far as another title shot goes. And I wouldnt be at all saddened by that.

[Gibbz]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

If what he did was so unforgivable then release him and vacate the 205 title. Isn't that what you do with insubordinate employees? He fights under the brand of the company, he's not responsible for its well-being or the well-being of its other fighters. UFC could sever ties and not give him another dime if that's how they really feel.

[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

The only problem is Hendo is still in line. Say Hendo isnt ready until January. That pushes Machida back to April/May at best. Thats almost a year on the shelf.


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True, but there is a good chance Hendo isnt back that soon. Knee injuries are funny especially tears, even if it is only a partial. He could be back by January, don't get me wrong, but it's not something I would bank on.

[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

If what he did was so unforgivable then release him and vacate the 205 title. Isn't that what you do with insubordinate employees? He fights under the brand of the company, he's not responsible for its well-being or the well-being of its other fighters. UFC could sever ties and not give him another dime if that's how they really feel.

And you give Bellator the chance to sign him, still being a big draw. That's not smart business. You devalue his stock first then let him go. Yes its a slimey business move, but that is the reality of what happens.

[aholbert32]

If what he did was so unforgivable then release him and vacate the 205 title. Isn't that what you do with insubordinate employees? He fights under the brand of the company, he's not responsible for its well-being or the well-being of its other fighters. UFC could sever ties and not give him another dime if that's how they really feel.

That's a poor business model when you have competitors like Bellator waiting to sign your top competitors. Thats bad buisness for the UFC. Jones was insubordinate right? So I think given the choice of cutting him, having him sign for less in Bellator and fight lesser competition OR have him deal with White bad mouthing him to the press...I think Jones, the UFC and everyone would prefer option 2.

He deserves a punishment for causing the cancellation of 151 and if thats just Dana saying he's disgusted, thats a very light punishment.


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[aholbert32]

Apparently Rua was also offered the 152 shot but also turned it down.


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[Gibbz]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

He deserves a punishment for causing the cancellation of 151 and if thats just Dana saying he's disgusted, thats a very light punishment.


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If that's the case then Dana is to blame for these sort of occurrences that will undoubtedly happen in the future. If an example isn't made out of Jones then you'll see more and more fighters denying fights over the years and it will eventually start looking like boxing.

[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

If that's the case then Dana is to blame for these sort of occurrences that will undoubtedly happen in the future. If an example isn't made out of Jones then you'll see more and more fighters denying fights over the years and it will eventually start looking like boxing.

They can make an example without releasing him. He better hope he retains his title, Because he will have a long hard road back to a title shot if he doesn't.

[Bad_Intentions]

Re: UFC 151 - Jones vs. Hendo - Sept 1 - Vegas

I still don't see why everyone is putting the lions share of the blame on Jones. The UFC put together this lackluster card with no "plan B" if somehow the main event couldn't go on. Every PPV card should have at least 3 fights, Main Event, co main-event, and a feature fight, that should generate decent enough interest to the public. In the case of an issue with the Main Event the co-main event with the feature should be enough to warrant holding the show. I understand injuries happen but this was a really sh** card.