Earlier today we were alerted to major changes potentially brewing on the UFC 151 card. Follow us live as we follow what’s happening on the call.
Live Updates:
— We’re currently live in the UFC conference call, waiting for it to start.
— And … here we go! Dana is on and the presser is underway.
— UFC 151 has been cancelled … Dan Henderson has a partial MCL tear. Show is cancelled.
— Chael Sonnen had accepted the fight on 8 days notice. Jon Jones withdraws from fight because he doesn’t want to fight on 8 days notice.
— Jones vs. Machida is Sept 22 on Toronto’s UFC 151 card.
— Jones was contacted, turned it down knowing card would be cancelled.
— Machida was in the air, couldn’t get in touch it seems.
— Greg Jackson advised you don’t take a fight with Sonnen on 8 days notice. Calls it a “big mistake” … leads to Dana ranting about the man for a bit. ‘This guy is a fucking sport killer’ direct quote. Jones didn’t take fight specifically because of Jackson.
— Dana doesn’t know how long Hendo will be out with the injury.
— “In the history of the UFC, Tito was the most difficult guy in the company but he didn’t refuse fights” — Dana
— “We’ll figure out” … rest of the card.
— Injury occured on Saturday … couldn’t get in touch until Monday/Tuesday. Flew to Vegas and diagnosed with PCL tear. Limited lateral movement.
— Pulled plug about an hour ago. Outright refusal from Jones to fight anyone on that day.
— Ticketholders will get a refund
— Machinda/Jones 2 is now the main of UFC 151; Benavidez/Johnson is now co-main
— Chael says to Dana to “tell Jon Jones there won’t be any spinning back fists in this fight. Chael Sonnen only falls down once.”
— Dana White won’t quantify actual money amount lost but considers it “huge” and a “massive, massive hit”
— Dana is going a bit crazy right now on the call.
— Bout agreement for Machida/Jones 2 should be coming back soon, this afternoon apparently
— More Greg Jackson insults … this is borderline absurd right now
— And it’s over.
