UFC 151 canceled after Jon Jones refuses to fight Chael Sonnen
UFC 151 has been canceled because light-heavyweight contender Dan Henderson has a knee injury and champion Jon Jones declined UFC President Dana White’s request that Jones fight Chael Sonnen in Henderson’s place.
“The is the first time ever a sitting champ has turned down a fight and forced a cancellation,†UFC Chairman Lorenzo Feritta told The Times.
White says he was surprised and disappointed that Jones turned down a fight with Sonnen, forcing the cancellation.
“We’ve never, ever had a fighter refuse to fight someone,†White said at the news conference announcing the cancellation. “As much as he’s won and with all the things he’s accomplished in a short amount of time, he’s been a champion that hasn’t been very popular. I don’t think this is going to do wonders for his popularity.â€
White indicated that he is also unhappy with Jones’ trainer, Greg Jackson, calling him a “sport killer†for telling his fighter that accepting the Sonnen fight on short notice would be a mistake.
UFC 151 was scheduled for Sept. 1 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Henderson said that he injured his knee while defending a takedown in practice. He said doctors recommended he stay off the knee for three weeks in order to avoid surgery.
ALSO:
Rory McIlroy trash talks Tiger Woods
Adam Dunn: Bartolo Colon is “pretty dumbâ€
Top recruit Tony Farmer collapses after prison sentencing
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
