Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen to Coach TUF 17, Will Fight in April

[Dod Draper]

UFC president Dana White has confirmed with The LATimes that reigning light heavyweight king Jon Jones (Pictured) will coach opposite Chael Sonnen in the next edition of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

The recent rivals will then collide April 27th after filming wraps on the long-running reality series.

“This should be a good one,” White stated. “Jon has accepted the fight. He knows the fans want to see that fight.”

Sonnen was expected to make his return to the light heavyweight division against Forrest Griffin at UFC 155. However, the former middleweight top contender will understandably withdraw from that tango for a chance to humble “Bones.”

The 35-year-old Sonnen hasn’t fought in the 205-pound class in nearly seven years. He owns a 5-3 record under the UFC’s watch, with all of those contests taking place at middleweight.

Uncle Chael is fresh off a TKO loss to 185-pound champ Anderson Silva in the most anticipated rematch in MMA history.

Chael P. made his claim to fame with his initial tango against “The Spider.” Although he dominated Silva for nearly five complete rounds, he was submitted at the 11th hour when the Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt wrapped his legs around Sonnen’s neck.

His nonstop badgering of Silva during their two years between fights earned him worldwide recognition. #MediumRare

Speaking of verbal assaults, Sonnen recently turned his attention to Jones after he declined to defend his throne against Sonnen at UFC 151. Jones and his camp felt there was no benefit in taking the last-second scrap, which ultimately forced Zuffa to cancel their first event since purchasing the organization in 2001.

Jones’ participation in the reality show comes from left field. However, it was revealed the right arm Vitor Belfort nearly snapped in two last month at UFC 152 will require extensive physical therapy and an extended hiatus from the Octagon.

Filming for TUF 17 is scheduled to begin October 29th.

Another title shot for Sonnen. He hasn't even fought since he got decisively beat in his last match.

Urijah Faber, Frankie Edgar, and now Chael Sonnen. UFC really loves giving these guys repeated shots despite failure.

 

[Deezy]

So it's come to this?

While I can see how this is good at a business standpoint, it doesn't make sense at a sport standpoint.

Some guy who last fought at Middleweight can jump divisions and get a title shot? Divisions are razor thin as this, I guess there isn't much choice.

UFC should start tournament brackets right away at every division for the entire year and the winners get the champs, who fill out their year by having "superfights".

Next year saved.

 

[Dod Draper]

Bad matchmaking has brought them here imo.

Henderson should be fighting Jones next, not Machida. Machida should be fighting Sonnen.

 

[Deezy]

Bad matchmaking has brought them here imo.

Henderson should be fighting Jones next, not Machida. Machida should be fighting Sonnen.

Zuffa pushed themselves into a corner with punishing certain guys for not taking fights on short notice, if they really wnated people to take those fights, pay them an extra 100 grand.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Bad matchmaking has brought them here imo.

Henderson should be fighting Jones next, not Machida. Machida should be fighting Sonnen.

My thoughts exactly. The actual show still should be fun to watch though.

 

[PHX]

This should be the best interaction of coaches since Rampage and Evans. I'll be watching this.

 

[The Cork]

As with all Sonnen fights, the buildup will be the most exciting part.

No doubt Bones savages him though.

Sonnen seems tailor made to save TUF, surprised he hasn't coached sooner. Guys like Cruz, Carwin etc are way too bland.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Random as hell booking, Sonnen should at least have to fight at LHW first before getting a shot. He's coming off a title loss at MW and gets a title shot at LHW. It kind of made sense in regards to UFC 151 seeing as none of the LHWs had the balls to step up and fight Jones then. The fact that two MWs are now fighting Jones in a row proves that the whole "LHW division is a stacked division with plenty of killers" line is a myth.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Forrest Griffin is still fighting on the UFC 155 card, who should he fight? I wouldn't mind seeing him and Hendo slug it out. Could do Phil Davis as well.

 

[The Cork]

lol Forrest is shot to bits.

Either feed him to Glover Teixeria in a squash or book him vs Rampage in a loser leaves MMA fight.

 

[Slim]

Henderson wouldn't waste his time against Forrest as it wouldn't get him any closer to a title shot. Plus Forrest would be a punching bag for him. Give him Vera

 

[No More Sorrow]

Not sure if i believe this rumor but, Stephan Bonnar is supposedly going to be stepping in for Chael to fight Griffin at UFC 155.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Bonnar and Griffen should both just retire, have the third fight if they must and then just retire.

 

[No More Sorrow]

I guess that's the plan on Bonnar's part, we'll have too wait and see what's up with Forrest.

 

[No More Sorrow]

A few highlights from the Press Conference earlier today, The Ultimate Fighter will no longer be on Fridays starting with the next season and the Jones/Sonnen fight is likely headed to Jersey which means I'll be making the trip down their to see Chael and Jones fight.