Jon Jones Injury Update: No Fracture, Only Dislocated Big Toe

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

As hard as it is to believe, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones did not fracture his left big toe this past weekend.

Dr. Robert Klapper informed “UFC Tonight” that Jones only dislocated the toe, and could return to action in a number of months.

“The rehabilitation involves putting the toe back into place,” Klapper said. “Because there’s no fracture of the bone, it’s just a dislocation, in six weeks it’s healed, then you start range of motion and strengthening rehab.”

Jones defeated Chael Sonnen via first round TKO and has mentioned facing Alexander Gustafsson in his next title defense. Jones’ manager did say his fighter would know more news after seeing a specialist in the coming days.

Pretty hard to fathom that the bone of “Bones” didn’t snap as hard as it was twisted inside the Octagon.

 

Greg Jackson Feels Jon Jones At Heavyweight Would Be A Welcome Challenge

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Jackson has built himself an empire in New Mexico, as Jackson’s MMA features several of the elite fighters in the world.

Leading the way is UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Fresh off his fifth successful title defenses, Jones continued to hint at a possible move to heavyweight in the future.

With his body and age, it appears as if it’s only a matter of time before “Bones” dukes it out with the big boys of the UFC – and Jackson is welcoming that decision.

“I’m okay with whatever they want to do. If he wants to do that, then I’ll help him out,” said Jackson, during a recent appearance on The MMA Hour. “I’ve always said that it’s up to the fighters and the management. It’s my job to figure out how we’re going to do that. If that’s the parameters they want to give, that’s what I do. I actually enjoy that; anything different is good.”

Jones seems interested in a possible super-fight with Anderson Silva before any move to heavyweight. The division is currently ruled by fellow former Iowa Central Community College NJCAA national champion Cain Velasquez.

 

Is It Time for Jon Jones to Move Up to Heavyweight?

After Jon Jones handily defeated Chael Sonnen at UFC 159 on Saturday, I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not it was time for Jones to finally make a move to the heavyweight division. We’ve seen very little evidence that anyone in the light-heavyweight division will be able to compete with Jones’ combination of physical gifts and fight IQ. Now, certainly I would like to see Alexander Gustafsson take on Jones at light-heavyweight because he is a new contender and provides challenges in the striking game that we haven’t seen before.

After him though, what’s left? A rematch with Lyoto Machida? Phil Davis? Neither of them provide a compelling matchup for the fans or for Jones himself. Jones seems like the kind of fighter who is not content with simply beating up on over-matched opponents. He seems like a fighter who is willing to push himself to take on difficult athletic challenges in order to enhance his legacy. And, his body and frame seem well suited for moving up to heavyweight, while Georges St. Pierre has repeatedly said his attempts to gain muscle mass have proved to be taxing on his body. Furthermore, Greg Jackson, Jones’ head trainer, is prepared for a potential move to the  heavyweight division according to MMAFighting.

Jones may be a victim of his own dominance. The light-heavyweight division is also low on new challengers and the UFC hasn’t been able to develop any young challengers other than Gustafsson. Phil Davis was touted as a potential challenger but considering he couldn’t even finish Vinny Magalhaes in a pure striking match, it’s hard to imagine Davis surviving very long against Jones. Other than that, do we wait for a potential Dan Henderson matchup?

It would be best for Jones to move up to heavyweight and start making noise there. If he wanted to go the Anderson Silva route and just take a heavyweight fight or two between title defenses, that would be fine. Or, if he wanted to permanently put on the weight and make a run at Cain Velasquez’s title, that would be fine too. Either way, I don’t think there are many challengers at the 205 lbs. division; it would make sense for Jones’ career to take fights at heavyweight to enhance his legacy. It would also make himself and the UFC a boatload of money.

Photo Credt – Brad Penner – USA Today Sports

 

Tito Ortiz Calls Jon Jones ‘Respectful, Soft Spoken, True Champ’

Tito Ortiz made a couple of remarks via Twitter Saturday night regarding UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

However, after Jones talked highly of Ortiz during the post-fight press conference, it left the UFC Hall of Famer to seemingly retract his thoughts.

Jones tied Ortiz with five successful title defenses of the 205-pound title when he stopped Chael Sonnen. During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Ortiz discussed Jones.

If I’m under a person who holds the record, I think Jon Jones is the man [it should] be. He’s very classy. He’s respectful, soft spoken, and he’s a true champ. I really don’t see anybody to beat him. I don’t think anybody can really get close to him. His mindset is perfect. I think it’s how a champion should be. As long as no personal stuff happens to him, I don’t think he’ll have much problem with anybody, just because of his wrestling. Wrestling has always been a dominating force in UFC.

Jones suffered a toe injury in the win, so a timetable for his return – with a chance to break the record – is currently unknown.

 

Chael Sonnen Changes His Tune, Targets Wanderlei Silva

Chael Sonnen changes his stance on Jon Jones 180 degrees. He defends his trash-talking; he says he doesn’t try to promote fights. He speaks truth. Later, he calls out Wanderlei Silva.

 

UFC 159 Fighter Salaries Topped By Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping brought home the biggest paycheck from UFC 159, as “The Count” earned $425,000 for his win over Alan Belcher.

MMA Manifesto reported the numbers through the New Jersey Athletic Commission.

Complete numbers can be found below:

Michael Bisping: $425,000 ($275,000 to show, $150,000 win bonus)

Jon Jones: $400,000

Pat Healy: $152,500 ($17,500 to show, $5,000 win bonus, $65,000 Fight of the Night bonus, $65,000 Submission of the Night bonus)

Roy Nelson: $113,000 ($24,000 to show, $24,000 win bonus, $65,000 Knockout of the Night bonus)

Jim Miller: $106,000 ($41,000 to show, $65,000 Fight of the Night bonus)

Cheick Kongo: $70,000

Phil Davis: $60,000 ($30,000 to show, $30,000 win bonus)

Chael Sonnen: $50,000

Alan Belcher: $37,000

Ovince St. Preux: $34,000 ($17,000 to show, $17,000 win bonus)

Cody McKenzie: $20,000 ($10,000 to show, $10,000 win bonus)

Leonard Garcia: $20,000

Rustam Khabilov: $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 win bonus)

Bryan Caraway: $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 win bonus)

Steven Siler: $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 win bonus)

Sara McMann: $12,000 ($6,000 to show, $6,000 win bonus)

Gian Villante: $12,000

Vinny Magalhaes: $8,000

Johnny Bedford: $8,000

Yancy Medeiros: $6,000

Sheila Gaff: $6,000

Kurt Holobaugh: $6,000

 

Lyoto Machida Calls Out Alexander Gustafsson

Lyoto Machida, who previously was against this fight, is now “interested” in a potential match-up opposite of Swedish born Alexander Gustafsson. Machida suggests the two should meet in a title elimitator fight, as Jone Jones recovers from a broken toe which would fulfill Machida’s desire to stay active.

 

UFC 159 Behind The Scenes

Take a look at Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen and what went on before the two met in the main event at UFC 159.

 

UFC 159: Sunday Afternoon Thoughts

-We saw one of the strangest cards in recent memory last night at UFC 159. The fights were solid but there were so many extenuating circumstances that made for an extremely strange card. Jon Jones is the champ and remains the top fighter at 205, but a toe injury sustained during the fight could keep him out for 10-12 weeks. It is rather disappointing to see one of the great talents in MMA waste his prime years fighting middleweights like Vitor Belfort and Chael Sonnen. Unfortunately, we didn’t learn anything new about Jones last night. Here’s to hoping he recovers quickly and can take on Alexander Gustafsson relatively soon. Meanwhile, Chael Sonnen will likely retire unless he can get a few big money grudge match fights, ala Renzo Gracie vs. Matt Hughes. If the UFC wanted to match up Sonnen with Vitor Belfort in a fight in Brazil, I think Sonnen would be interested in another payday.

-We didn’t learn anything new about Michael Bisping last night either. Alan Belcher fought a dumb fight and let the quick hands of Bisping touch up his face because of his low-hanging hands. Once it became clear that Belcher couldn’t grapple with Bipsing, he had nothing for him. Bisping’s speed and cardio was too much for Belcher and he looked completely done by round three. It seemed like Belcher’s injury was to his eyelid and not the actual eyeball, but hopefully his retina is intact and he can fight again soon.

-Roy Nelson’s overhand right is a dangerous weapon. It’s funny how every heavyweight knows it’s coming but most can’t stop it. Nelson continues to do what he does: knock dudes out. It seems like he’ll take on Daniel Cormier next which is probably a bad matchup for Nelson. Cormier has faster hands and better wrestling than the former Ultimate Fighter Champion. At the same time, you can’t count Nelson out because of his big right hand that can put anyone out.

-Phil Davis proved he was a better striker and wrestler than Vinny Magalhaes last night. Magalhaes has improved his striking and he did a good job of avoiding excessive damage but he still got destroyed standing. Davis cruised to a decision after he managed to get Magalhaes off his back in round 1.

-Pat Healy beat Jim Miller at his own game, tiring out Miller and using his size and strength to bully Miller in rounds 2 and 3. Healy’s size and grappling ability is going to be a tough out for anyone in the lightweight division.

-Sara McMann looked great tonight. She’s moving closer to a fight with Rousey and I think she is the only one who has a chance to take her out. Gian Villante also learned the hard way that the New Jersey State Athletic commission doesn’t play around when it comes to fighter safety. I’ve said many times that it is stupid for referees to ask fighters if they can see because they’ll obviously lie, but when a fighter responds “No” to that question the referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Oh, and Ovince St. Preux was pretty disappointing overall in that fight. After his fifth straight loss, you have to think Leonard Garcia will finally get his walking papers from the UFC.

 

Jon Jones on Chael Sonnen Spanking at UFC 159

Jon Jones first gives the details on his toe injury which could be more serious than he’s letting on, but we’ll have to see. Jones further talks about the spanking he handed out to Sonnen which should silence his foe for at least 2 days. Jones says he can finally not think about Chael Sonnen.