Vitor vs Jones at 152

yup, machida didn't want the fight


http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/8/24/3264658/ufc-152-jon-jones-vs-vitor-belfort-machida-mma-news

Quote :

This has been one of the craziest days in the history of the UFC, and you would have thought it would have ended with a whimper. Think again. Lyoto Machida has turned down a title shot at UFC 152 against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. So who will fight Jones, you ask? Chael Sonnen? Chris Weidman? Nope. How about Vitor Belfort (via MMA Fighting):

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.

Honestly, I'm as shocked as you are. Belfort (21-9) is coming off a first-round submission win over Anthony Johnson at UFC 142. He's a former UFC light heavyweight champion, but hasn't competed at 205 since 2007. He was scheduled to face off with Alan Belcher at UFC 153, but that's out the window now. Perhaps Weidman can step into that fight, who knows.

Jones was scheduled to meet Dan Henderson at UFC 151 on September 1st, but Henderson withdrew with an injury. Jones turned down a bout with Chael Sonnen, so the whole card was scrapped and Jones was expected to face Machida in Toronto. Now it will be The Phenom across the cage from him. What a day in the UFC. What a day.

Wtf?

WAR PHENOM!!!!!

had to steal that lol

this has to be the craziest most bizarre day in MMA history... hands down!

well, considering how the first fight went i can understand him wanting more than a month to train for Jones..consider Lyoto just had a fight. My question is why did they start promoting it as the 152 main event before he accepted the fight?

this has been a very interesting 24 hours to say the least.

I guess they never confirmed with machida, soares couldn't reach him as he was on a flight

Still don't know why they wouldn't wait to confirm tho

I don't believe it.

Now I do.

http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC152#/fight

Why Vitor of all people? Why not Sonnen, Wiedman, or Anderson. They all stepped up to the plate and were willing to do it on 8 days notice.

This means Machida loses his #1 contender status right? Now way he still gets the next title shot after Vitor right?

Next shot should be Gus/Shogun winner. The make Hendo fight Machida for next. Then maybe Sonnen/Griffin winner after one more win.

ahhhhhhh fuck beltor goes down and Jones gets another notch in his belt

Machida and Shogun both turned down the fight.
http://www.mmamania.com/2012/8/24/3264799/shogun-rua-turned-down-jon-jones-title-fight-at-ufc-152

I hope vitor gets one of those quick ko's

I actually really like this fight now.

Ali wrote:

I actually really like this fight now.

Why is that? No reason to like this fight that much. It ruins Belcher-Vitor which was an awesome fight. That alone makes this bullshit. It is a bad move for multiple divisions.

OU wrote:

Ali wrote:

I actually really like this fight now.

Why is that? No reason to like this fight that much. It ruins Belcher-Vitor which was an awesome fight. That alone makes this bullshit. It is a bad move for multiple divisions.

Belfort's an explosive striker who can compete at 205lb.

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Ali wrote:

I actually really like this fight now.

Why is that? No reason to like this fight that much. It ruins Belcher-Vitor which was an awesome fight. That alone makes this bullshit. It is a bad move for multiple divisions.

Belfort's an explosive striker who can compete at 205lb.

There are current LHW that are just as explosive and actually compete at LHW right now. This isn't anything anyone should be excited about.

OU wrote:

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Ali wrote:

I actually really like this fight now.

Why is that? No reason to like this fight that much. It ruins Belcher-Vitor which was an awesome fight. That alone makes this bullshit. It is a bad move for multiple divisions.

Belfort's an explosive striker who can compete at 205lb.

There are current LHW that are just as explosive and actually compete at LHW right now. This isn't anything anyone should be excited about.

Well I am.

I am always excited for Belfort's fights because they could end at any moment.

I am. Jones has already beat everyone that was worthy at 205 besides Hendo. Vitor has the striking to KO Jones. Have no interest in Vitor-Silva 2. Clears the way for Weidman to be the number 1 contender at 185 with no Vitor there.

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Ali wrote:

OU wrote:

Ali wrote:

I actually really like this fight now.

Why is that? No reason to like this fight that much. It ruins Belcher-Vitor which was an awesome fight. That alone makes this bullshit. It is a bad move for multiple divisions.

Belfort's an explosive striker who can compete at 205lb.

There are current LHW that are just as explosive and actually compete at LHW right now. This isn't anything anyone should be excited about.

Well I am.

I am always excited for Belfort's fights because they could end at any moment.

Any MMA fight can end at any moment.

freakzilla wrote:

I am. Jones has already beat everyone that was worthy at 205 besides Hendo. Vitor has the striking to KO Jones. Have no interest in Vitor-Silva 2. Clears the way for Weidman to be the number 1 contender at 185 with no Vitor there.

But Anderson is refusing to fight him. He will fight a LHW on 8 days notice but he won't fight Weidman for atleast 6 months?

Weidman is a fight away from serious title talk.

GDPofDRC wrote:

Weidman is a fight away from serious title talk.

Maybe according to you, but I think a large % of fans think he is ready. Dana himself has implied that Chris has done enough. Chael Sonnen thinks Chris has done enough. There is a good % of fighters and fans that consider Chris to be the current #1 contender and deserving of his shot. Chris is begging for it, but he seems to be going about it too respectfully.