Sports_Nerd

I though of making this a poll, but I'm interested in reasoned opinions, not an estimation of how unpopular Jones is right now, so no poll.

I'm also not trying to defend Jones, exactly. I think in terms of Risk vs Reward Jones made the right decision. I also think the right decision in this case was selfish and unsportsmanlike. I just want to address this one issue that has been bothering me.

I've been reading a lot of comments about how Chael is a 185er, out of shape because he didn't have a training camp, etc'.

Let's start with the obvious - Hendo is an old man in fighter years, and doesn't cut much weight. While Chael isn't as big as Jones, he's probably bigger in the cage than Dan is.

Out of shape? Even if he's been doing nothing but light aerobic exercise and sparring for the past month and a half he should still have much better cardio than Dan, and is twice as athletic.

As far as preparation goes, assuming Henderson's injury really did happen just the other day, and they haven't been sitting on the knowledge that he might not be able to fight (and let's just say I have my doubts about that,) neither fighter has had time to prepare for the other. This works in Chael's favor, IMO. Against an unprepared Jones an unprepared Chael has a small chance of success. Against a prepared Jones Chael has virtually no chance of success, prepared or otherwise.

Do you think Chael is too small to take Jones down, given that Jones probably hasn't been working his counter-wrestling much in camp? Do you think he's so out of shape he couldn't go five rounds?

Lambaste Jones all you want for being a dishonest coward, I won't fault you for that. But don't do it by downplaying the danger Chael poses, that's simply disingenuous.

Soojooko

I don't consider Hendo or Sonnen much of a challenge to Bones, even with full training camps.

But in this scenario, with Hendo taking on a full camp and Sonnen just doing some regular training, I would say Sonnen is less of a challenge, yes. Total speculation on my part, but that's my guess.

marcthegame

On 8 days notice Chael would have been a lesser challenge. Henderson has one punch KO power, Chael does not. Jon Jones is a wrestler he knows what Chael is going to do. Jones has a 10 inch reach and is bigger than SOnnen, he would have easily destroy him.

killua

The only chance Hendo had of winning the fight was by KO. That is also one more chance than Sonnen would have.

Lets also not forget that for all of Hendo's age issues, he has experience and knows what it takes to become a champion. Something that Sonnen struggles with.

marcthegame

Here the thing I don't get why Jones turned down the fight maybe it was because of strategy. However I remember Henderson fighting a stiker, a BJJ guys and a hybrid all on the same night.

Rauno

That's still all speculation. Sonnen has the best pure double leg in the business, you don't take a man like this lightly.

Also Jones was probably preparing for a stand-up fight with keeping Hendo on bay using his reach while Sonnen would have been the exact opposite.

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Toxic

Only because I doubt Chael would be able to go hard for 25 mins. That said I thought it was interesting the other night because Mike Straka (Host of TapOut Radio, hosted numerous mma tv shows) was on the Ferral show and he stated that he had no doubt Chael could and would win the fight. Which kinda shocked me but he said after knowing Chael for upwards of 8 years he knew that Chael was unmatched in wrestling and intenstity but stated that he was a choke artist. That when everything is on the line and all the pressure was on him Sonnen falls apart. Sadly it sounds like an accurate description of Sonnen. That said I personally still would be shocked if Jones wasn't to big, to strong and to versatile.

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The Toxic Terrors (FFL)

Georges St. Pierre*Sarra McMann*Pat Curran*Patricio Freire*Uriah Hall

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Trix

I wonder if Greg Jackson & crew are wary of Chael due to him finishing Brian Stann with that arm triangle.

oldfan

Stann wrestled with Jones to prepare for that fight. It's MMAth at it;s finest but there's no denying that something scares Greg Jackson and crew.

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Thelegend

no hes just a different challenge, people are quick to forget he gave the p4p all he could handle. yes, styles make fights but in that position i fault no champ for looking out for his interest.

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