Cerrone on Jones: You should’ve done it

As time goes by, it seems that the cancellation of UFC 151 is becoming less of a temporary wound and more of a permanent scar. What could be considered as the most prominent, publicized and talked about piece of MMA news in 2012, is still creating drama and has now managed to rear its ugly head back into the conversation.

In a question and answer session for the fans prior to the UFC 155 weigh-ins, Donald Cerrone had the following to say about his teammate:

“Yes, I’d have fought…They could call me tomorrow and ask me to fight. I think you need to fight. That’s our job. I don’t think you should curl up and find a way out. So yes, that’s my answer.”

HT: VFD Marketing

“He’s my teammate, and we have this discussion all the time…I said, ‘You should’ve done it.’ And he goes, ‘Well, you don’t make a million (dollars) to fight.’ And I said, ‘Well, you’re right, but I f—ing fight every time with all my heart.'”

Interesting words coming from a teammate of the Champion himself, although I can’t say that I disagree. This topic has been disputed and debated about for months, with opinions ranging from all over the spectrum, proving that it truly is a subjective argument. However the consensus has seemed to lead towards a slight majority vote in favor of Cerrone’s point of view. The part I find the most shocking is Jones’ response “Well, you don’t make a million to fight”, it truly showcases Jones’ immaturity and very apparently over-sized ego. While that response is completely accurate and in some cases valid, it simply isn’t a response of a man with honour, integrity and respect for his fellow teamates.

I for one agree that a fighter should be intelligent regarding the way his or her career is run and that they should have the right to decline a fight under extreme circumstances. But given the fact that you are considered one of the best fighters in the world, that you are in the prime shape of your life, that you are obviously bigger, stronger, faster and more skilled than your opponent, and that you’ve just completed a full training camp and are prepared to fight 5 rounds when your opponent is not, that simply isn’t a smart decision to me. It would be the equivalent of having Aces in a game of poker when there’s $1 Million in the pot, and then folding.

With that said, Cerrone’s opinion is supported by many others in the MMA community fans and fighters alike, and he has a point. Real fighters fight and if you lose you lose. Losing is a part of fighting and if you think you truly are the best you should be prepared to fight anyone at any point in time. And in most cases, a loss has done more to help the fighter than anything else, creating the potential for improvement as well as grudge and rematches.

But that’s enough of what I think. What do you think of Cerrone’s comments?