UFC 151 Aftermath (?): Jones Opens As -475 Favorite Over Machida While His Peers Tear Him a New One

(Suddenly, the decision to sponsor this guy seems like not so great of an idea.) 

Boy oh boy, have the events of this afternoon trapped everyone in a glass case of emotion or what? We’re going to forgo the typical “aftermath” aspect of this…aftermath, because suffice it to say, you are already aware of what has gone down. Looking ahead, it appears Jon Jones will be facing Lyoto Machida (again) at UFC 152 in Toronto (again). It also appears that all of the claims that “Lyoto TOTALLY won a round against Bones, you guys” — as if he, you know, didn’t get sliced open and choked unconscious shortly thereafter — have had some effect on the bookies. At least for now.

BestFightOdds currently has Jones listed between -475 and -485 for his rematch with “The Dragon,” which is actually not as bad (for Machida, at least) as the -600 Jones was listed at when these two first squared off. Who knows how far that number will sway in the next few weeks, but we’re guessing it will only increase in Jones’ favor as time passes.

But that’s not the story here. The real story is that, due to the cancellation of UFC 151, a lot of fighters are getting royally screwed. Sure, the UFC could reimburse them with their show money (as if they’re not losing a shitload of it already), but these fighters rely on sponsorship money to truly put them in the green. That money has seemingly dissapeared, and man are they pissed about it. After all, when you only fight a few times a year (at best) for next-to-nothing, missing a fight can have serious financial consequences. And the poor saps who will now be missing another paycheck are letting Jones have it on Twitter.

Here are just a few reactions.

Michael Bisping: “Jones said he’s not fighting chael on 8 days notice. I did. …. Just sayin”

Did I just become a Bisping fan?! Jesus, I don’t even know what is real anymore.

Jeff Houghland: @JonnyBones Can I at least get one of your new Nike T-shirts? I’ll give it to my kid since I won’t have any money for her school clothes.

Kyle Noke: Im no longer fighting. the whole @ufc 151 card is cancelled. Sorry to all fans who bought flight, hotel, and fight tickets.#heartbroken

Charlie Brenneman: Me n @Rick_Story took a fight on 24 hrs norice!! Champ what?!?!@ufc

@JonnyBones u can send my check to PO box 198. EH NJ. Rent is due the first, so preferably by then. Thanks. @ufc

Joe Rogan: I am completely bewildered that Jon Jones didn’t accept the fight with Chael Sonnen. Never saw that coming in a million years. Now the entire UFC card is scrapped because Jones didn’t accept a fight with a 185lb’er who is completely out of shape. WOW. Just wow.

It should be known that due to UFC 151′s cancellation, Rogan’s show at the Mandalay Bay events center planned for that weekend was also cancelled.

Josh Barnett: If I was in Jones’ shoes I’d have said “Bring me the contract and I’ll bring you his head.”. To me, the scenario was far in Jones’ favor

Perhaps the most scathing tweets sent were those of TUF Live winner Michael Chiesa. You remember him, right?

@JonnyBones is a fraud. He’s all about his $$ but he won’t take a fight with @sonnench who would bring in WAY more $$? He’s scared, period.

99.999% of @ufc fighters will be “company men” and help our organization if needed. @sonnench is a company man,@JonnyBones is selfish.

Max Holloway: Something doesnt make sense Jones said he doesnt wanna fight machida cause he dont wanna be a broke fighter. Now hes not getting paid at all.

Vinny Magalhaes: How to piss Dana White off #BonesKnows

Wait a minute, as I’m writing this, Luke Thomas just tweeted the following:

Under NAC 467.259, the UFC seems to be obligated to reimburse all of those fighters under their bout agreements…

Well, that’s good to know. I’m going to let this stew over a bevy of beverages. Until tomorrow, Potato Nation…

-J. Jones