Jon Jones a heavy favourite ahead of their light heayweight fight in New Jersey.
Chael Sonnen said he is putting “everything on the line” as he prepares to face Jon Jones for his light heavyweight title at UFC 159.
Sonnen goes into the bout as a massive underdog as he prepares for his first fight in the light heavyweight division in nine years.
In less than half of that time, Jones has not only revolutionised the weight-class but the future of mixed martial arts and has become a household name.
“You can’t retire without a world title. You can just quit,” Sonnen said .
“I’ve never thought about quitting. I’ve never thought past this fight. Everything’s on the line.”
The bout has the hallmarks of the lead-up to Sonnen’s two fights with pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva.
Sonnen continues to talk the talk against Jones, however, his barbs have not taken on as much of a personal tone as they did against Silva.
But can the ‘American Gangster’ really pull off the win?
UFC president Dana White said he has not been asked anything else in the countdown to the one of the biggest cards for the promotion this year.
“The question becomes, ‘Can Chael Sonnen do something?'” White said.
“Jon Jones is in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in. It shows me two things. One, he respects Chael Sonnen. And No. 2, if there’s anyone on Earth he doesn’t want to lose to, it’s Chael.”
That competitive streak in the champion was clear to see during taping of The Ultimate Fighter 17, as Sonnen continued to beat Jones in every small good-natured challenge thrown his way.
The relationship between the two combatants seemed to mellow to something close to respect for the other.
But all of that has melted away as Sonnen continued to ramp up his assault on Jones via his Twitter account.
4 – the number of moves it takes me to solve a rubics cube. Think I can’t solve Jon Jones? #UFC159 #4/27/13
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 23, 2013
10 – days until the headlines across the nation read, Chael P. Sonnen… Spelled C-H-A… M-P. #UFC159 #4/27/13
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 16, 2013
See what both men have to say ahead of one of the most intriguing fights of the year:
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