The UFC heavyweight divison have not stepped up to the plate in calling out MMA great Jon Jones
UFC light heavyweight icon Jon Jones has teased entering the heavyweight division for a while now.
Apart from relinquishing his light heavyweight belt, he has also put in the work inside the gym to take the step up.
The much-maligned fighter has overcome every fighter put in front of him, including an all-time great in Daniel Cormier.
His 26-1-0 (1 NC) record speaks for itself and it is understandable why he would want to take on a new challenge.
That being said, former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen thinks that the heavyweight division is not doing a good job in welcoming the American MMA fighter to their weight class.
Speaking on the latest episode of Beyond the Fight podcast on YouTube, Sonnen criticizes those in the heavyweight division for not calling out Jones.
“There was a time when if a punk kid from 205 pounds, threatened to come into your division; in this case, heavyweight, and in this case being Jon Jones, you would be the one to meet him at the door.”
Sonnen does not like the fact that all the heavyweights have just let Jones walk into their division and challenge for the title. He also calls out their excuse for not wanting to call him out.
“There is not a heavyweight alive that can fog a mirror who has called out Jon Jones. Not one… In the world of cowardness that you [heavyweights] live in, you can always turn to the idea that it was stated by Dana White in a press conference that Jon will be fighting for the championship, and therefore I have no standing in this matter, and, the kids on the playground will let you do it.”
Sonnen also asks the heavyweight fighters to be smarter. He states that as Jones is the #1 contender in the division, they should call him out without risking the chance of actually facing him inside the ring.
“Now that the press conference has been declared and he has been stated a #1 contender in a division he has never fought at, you are safe to call him out, and never have to actually go get your ass beat.”
It seems that Sonnen’s threat (of sorts) actually worked, as heavyweight Fabricio Werdum has called out Jon Jones now.
However, it is to be seen if this fight ever takes place given Jones is going for the title.
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