Dana White Implies Jon Jones Is Worried About Alexander Gustafsson
Eyebrows were raised when it was announced that Glover Teixeira would receive the next shot at Jon Jones’ Light-Heavyweight belt; especially considering how close ‘Bones’’ match with Alexander Gustafsson was. The two met in a blockbuster title fight at UFC 165, which exceeded all expectations by providing a five round war of epic proportions.
Jones spoke out after 165, claiming he had watched the fight replay 10 times over and came to the conclusion that he was the clear victor; an opinion that gave way to chants of ‘chicken’ and ‘sissy pants sally’ (I’m sure Entity coined that one), and raised questions about Jones’ willingness to face Gustafsson once again.
Jones then came out and said that he feels Gustafsson was granted a title shot too easily and that the UFC ‘save all the dogs for me and give the toughest guys the easiest matchups to get a title shot. Let’s see some of these top contenders fight each other, you know?’-I’ll let you guys be the judge of that comment.
Anyway, Dana White has had his say on the situation via Fox Sports and it seems that he is starting to take the point of view that most of Jones’ numerous haters do:
“Jon, I love you, you’re not a matchmaker,” White said. “Fight your fight, he’ll fight his fight, and don’t worry about it. When you talk like that it makes it sound like you’re worried about it.”
Jones has been known for pulling out of fights and cancelling cards, and also for being too picky about potential opponents. He is a great champion, without doubt, but to truly become the greatest of all time you have to beat the absolute best. My opinion is that Gustafsson was the rightful contender to the belt, and still is.
Gus proved to be the sternest test that Jones has faced to date, and whats to say that he wouldn’t beat Jones the second time around? Could this be why ‘Bones’ was so keen to fight the slower/shorter fighter in Teixeira?
Boxing and MMA are compared far too often, so one more time won’t hurt. Back in boxing’s golden days, from the late 30’s to 60’s, Sugar Ray Robinson made his name as the greatest of all time. He was undefeated in his amateur career (85-0) and only lost one of his first 131 bouts as a pro (a decision loss to the hard headed Jake La Motta).
Sugar beat 25 former/present/future legitimate great title holders, was only TKO’d once by heat exhaustion against Joey Maxim (while fighting at LHW) and fought up to 20 times a year at his peak. The point I’m trying to make is the reason Ray shined so much was not only his raw ability, but also his willingness to risk his title against all comers.
Sugar never ducked a fight, not once. If Jones wants the chance to become the GOAT, ducking guys because they are a tough fight is not the way there. Then again, I could be wrong. Anyone think that Jones is ducking Gus? It looks like Uncle Dana does.
