UPDATE: UFC 151 Canceled, Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort added to UFC 152

[EmpireWF]

I'm glad the Chael fight didn't happen, it would have robbed the fans of what could be a great fight under proper circumstances a year or so from now.

Yep. Perhaps Jones isn't just a tool. Saying no in the short term keeps a big opponent alive down the road. More options later, in theory at least.

[Epidemik]

This is all about perception.

Chael comes out looking like a fan favorite, tough, funny guy who was ready to fight on 8 days notice (admirable).
Jones comes out looking like the bad guy, "afraid" to fight Sonnen, PPV killer, etc.
Dana White comes out looking like he tried to put something together but the "champ" was acting like a baby, and thus his hands were tied as the MAIN EVENT has to be cancelled, thus the card.
Anderson comes out looking like he was willing to step in and fight someone on short notice(albeit not jones, which doesnt really matter as if Jones wont fight sonnen, he DEFINETLY won't fight anderson if he/jackson use the same logic) to save the PPV.

That's the way it looks on the surface as it is the way it is being portrayed. Chael's stock is skyrocketing, Anderson's stock goes up, Dana White's stock goes up a smudge, Jones' stock takes hit.

The truth doesn't matter, this is the way it is seen by the majority.

[Epidemik]

Ronda Rousey Chimes In

http://www.espn.co.uk/UFC/sport/story/166618.html

Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has told ESPN she "doesn't understand" why Jon Jones turned down the opportunity to fight Chael Sonnen on short notice at UFC 151.

Sonnen had offered to step in for the injured Dan Henderson in the light-heavyweight title fight in Las Vegas next Saturday, but Jones rejected, causing the first cancellation of an entire card in the UFC in 11 years.

Rousey, who says she classes herself as a friend of Jon Jones, was mystified by the decision. She told ESPN: "Mostly, I'd be more bummed with my coach, if I had that situation come up and my coach said anything else other than 'you're the world champion, you could beat anyone, anytime. Go do it', I would think 'why doesn't my coach have any confidence in me?' I don't know what Jon Jones' reasoning is, but I'd have made a different decision."

Rousey, who retained her title last weekend by beating Sarah Kaufman inside a minute with her trademark armbar finish, echoed the sentiments of Chael Sonnen and said she was sympathetic for the other fighters on the card who are no longer being paid to fight next weekend.

"I don't have any kids to provide for, if I come home with a bruised up face and a loss all I have to worry about is my own pride and my cable bill," she added. "When I was first starting out, when I really needed the money, the main event fell through and the whole event was cancelled and I know how that feels. I wouldn't want to do that to anybody else."

Rousey admitted that had she been aware the card was going to be cancelled she would have told UFC president Dana White that she wanted to fight instead.

"If Dana said he wanted me to fight Chris 'Cyborg' Santos with a 40lbs weight disadvantage or wrap our hands with Duck Tape and be there in 40 minutes, I'd say I'd be there in 10 minutes just so I could stretch first. It doesn't matter to me, I consider myself the best in the world. I think if you have that title, you have a responsibility to defend it at anytime against anyone."
Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/UFC/sport/stor...qQD2tB45vQq.99

[Magnetic Spectrum]

This is why i love Chael he's a smart fighter, he's like a good movie his tactics always have me guessing until the end then when you figure it out you go " ahhhh so that's why he did that" and slowing begin to grin.

[Liquidrob]

Who cares about the majority? MMA fans are just reject pro wrestling fans, that's why Dana and chael are so popular

Anyway, the over reaction is so silly, talking about stripping Jones, ruining his legacy, lol, the guy is on one of the best runs ever, once he trashes Vitor and the next guys who really cares about not taking a fight with an out of shape MW who is coming off a beat down

[SHOGUN]

Hendo waited 3 weeks to inform ZUFFA of the injury and pull out of the fight.

Kinda suspicious that around that time Chael suddenly started to try and start shit with Bones...

[Liquidrob]

Hendo should have told them earlier, but he probably thought he could fight through it

He definitely dropped Chael a hint

[Epidemik]

[EmpireWF]

Chael deserves a...

[EmpireWF]

Interesting tidbit from Iole...

As Jones has gotten more successful in the cage – his 2011 campaign might be the best in the sport's history – his popularity has waned among fans and media. His publicist quit last week, frustrated by Jones' prickly style and inability to deal well with the media.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mma--jo...ans--boss.html

[EmpireWF]

Fear the Fighter is still paying Eddie Yagin, for what that's worth.