UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones and his opponent for the upcoming UFC 159 took the time for a media call today. Also on the call was co-main event fighters Michael Bisping and Alan Belcher. UFC president Dana White was on a flight and unable to attend. Below are some of the highlights but the full audio is linked also.
This fight is monumental achievement for Jones’ career because a win over Sonnen ties him with Tito Ortiz for the all-time leader in successful title defenses. Looking at the 205 pound champion history no one has defended the belt successfully more than once since Hall of Famer Chuck Lidell dropped it in May of 2007. After Jones passes Ortiz for all time defenses he will entertain the idea of super fights and heavyweight fights.
Jones made it clear that he felt everyone is overlooking his wrestling abilities and stated “the storyline has always been his wrestling, his wrestling, his wrestling. It was that way with Matyushenko, Ryan Bader and Rashad Evans.” Jones continued by saying “maybe I’ll take him down more then he takes me down’ you never know.”
Sonnen took the opportunity to tell everyone just how great he thinks Jones is and added that Jones doesn’t realize how good he is by saying, “The reality is Jon Jones could beat up Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali in the same day.” Sonnen also praised Jones and informed everyone how his opinion had changed of the champ quickly after the two had met while filming The Ultimate Fighter 17. The dedication that Jones had shown to all the fighters and using the example of him never being late. Aside from praising Jones he also made it clear that he deserves this title shot and has earned.
The most interesting part of the call was when Bisping and Belcher verbally traded jabs. When they were asked about what a win would do for their careers, Bisping said he just wants to be back in the win column and work his way to a title shot. Belcher on the other hand just wanted to get the win and see who the best is and nothing more but Bisping took the opportunity to interrupt and tell everyone, “That a win over me for Alan Belcher would be by far the biggest win of his pathetic career. No one gives a fuck about Alan Belcher.”
Belcher responded with warning Bisping that he better not lose; which opened the door for Bisping to tell his opponent just how little he thought of him and how easy Saturday night will be.
The full conference call can be heard below.
