"Aug 24, 2012 - Jon Jones will not be facing Lyoto Machida at UFC 152 after all.
Instead, Vitor Belfort will fight Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title on Sept. 22 in Toronto. UFC president Dana White confirmed the change late Thursday night.
According to White, Machida turned down the title shot on Thursday. Belfort volunteered to fight Jones on one month's notice and was granted the title shot by the promotion.
Belfort was originally scheduled to face Alan Belcher at UFC 153 in October. White said he hasn't decided who will fight Belcher instead."
I just dont know what to believe anymore. Heres one thing that I would love to see come of this... Chael Sonnen vs Lyoto Machida to see who gets the winner. Chael hates Lyoto, Jones, and Belfort. Pretty cool
Ariel Helwani broke the story on twitter, its probably on the Ufc Tonight show, don't get it in Canada.
Im surprised Chael didn't get it since he is in the 205lb division, unless Jones is really trying to avoid Chael.
Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani
Seriously: Jones vs. Belfort to Headline UFC 152 After Lyoto Machida Turns Down Title Shot -- http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/8/2...adline-ufc-152-after-lyoto-machida-turns-down
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12m Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani
You think this day was crazy enough? It's about to get a whole lot crazier. MAJOR breaking news coming to @MMAFighting in a sec.
Chael was just an emergency last ditch effort to save the 151 card. With the fight being moved 4-5 weeks from now, there is zero reason for Chael to be in this fight.
As for Lyoto, this makes sense for him to wait and have a full training camp. He is already in line to get a shot next, so him waiting shouldn't cause him to much time till he gets his shot. That is unless his situation turns out like Rashad's.
Anyone wanna see Hendo vs Lyoto? thats what I want if Hendo cant just wait in line. Vitor, Lyoto, Hendo is fine with me. JJ fights 4 times a year, we'll be back here next summer.
So... Gustafsson, Shogun, Vera... Hell, even make Chael @ 152... None of those fights could be made? Da ****? Belfort hasn't fought at LHW in 5 years..
I don't get why he's going to fight Belfort at 152 but he wouldn't fight Sonnen at 151. Is he really that scared about not training for a certain opponent?
I've been saying this all along. Jones specifically said on Twitter that Chaels mouth wasn't going to earn him a title shot, and he back it up. At least Vitor is coming off of two impressive wins.
Shogun is medically suspended still. I am no longer a Jones fan. Jones had a full training camp, he was healthy so there should be no excuses. Leben fought back to back & this guy can't fight chael on short notice?
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I have to say, out of all these fights that we could have seen... this is the order I would put them in of interest to me, from most interested, to the least:
Jones Vs. Sonnen
Jones Vs. Machida
Jones Vs. Shogun
Jones Vs. Belfort
Machida is not a champion. Machida does kind of have a history of not taking short notice fights. Rashad and Jones and I feel like one more but can't remember.
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This still doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Why the heck is Belfort relevant in the LHW division? Surely there was someone at 205 that could've taken the fight on 4-5 weeks notice. But, Belfort why?
I don't get why he's going to fight Belfort at 152 but he wouldn't fight Sonnen at 151. Is he really that scared about not training for a certain opponent?
I honestly thought when reading 'Belfort' on Bloodyelbow.com that the writer had had a brain fart and typed it rather than someone that actually makes sense.
This is...I really don't get it. Worst days for the UFC in years. This has been handled abysmally.
I couldn't agree more. They really need to stop, take a breather, and look at what they are doing. This fight makes absolutely no sense at all. Pretty much anyone in the LHW division would make a lot more sense than belfort.
I'm really not sure what to make of this. They seem to be absolutely panicking and making some really terrible decisions.
Guessing by default as no one wants the fight, plus he has a history at 205. I bet they did not ask rampage as he could leave the ufc with the belt. But Vitor is a household name and will sell ppv.
Vitor is going to be a popular boy in the coming weeks.
Words can't express the joy i'd feel if Bones got knocked the **** out by a vicious Vitor combo.
Honestly Vitor has a better chance than Shogun because he has similar grappling credentials and is of a similar size but he has more power in his hands and is a hell of a lot more dynamic at this point than Shogun.
I can't actually believe people are suggesting the Chael Sonnen fight? Why?
When Chael hasn't fought at 205 in over 7 years and is coming off a devastating loss? Jones already said that Chael won't ever talk his way into a title shot with him. Chael doesn't deserve this fight and it isn't even an interesting stylistic match up.
Vitor hasn't fought at 205 in a while, but he's coming off 2 impressive victories and I happen to be one of the guys that thinks this new, re-invigorated Belfort is a ******* monster.
This is a seriously interesting stylistic match up and I can't wait. Belforts hands are absolutely deadly and I believe his grappling at this stage of his career is highly developed enough to fend of Jons ruthless ground and pound attack, maybe for a little while.
Honestly, this is actually a much better stylistic match up than the machida, chael or Hendo match ups.
I'm with you buddy, I said it a while ago but i'll gladly say it again as it's incredibly relevant now, Jon Jones is an arrogant boy, he likes to test his stand up against every fighter he faces. He stood with Shogun and Lyoto, both better strikers on paper than Bones. He will stand with Vitor, only difference is Vitor is like Hendo in that he will not be tentative like Rampage and actually enter striking range, but he doesn't only throw the heavy overhand, he has quick, powerful combos. If Bones stands with him it could end up being a short night.
As sad as this is to say, i'll probably become a fan of every fighter that fights Bones for the rest of his career. The guy who beats him will be written about on papyrus scrolls in quill ink and spoken about for generations to come. It's like killing the grinch.
Dana is serious when he says "Every day when I get up crazy shit happens". :laugh:
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