Chael Sonnen criticized Jon Jones for publicly revealing that he turned down an offer to headline UFC 300, suggesting that Jones did so for attention and that it was damaging to the organization.
Chael Sonnen’s back at it again, scratching his head over Jon Jones’ recent antics. Jones spilled the beans last week on Submission Radio. He was offered the chance to headline UFC 300 but said, “No, thanks.” He’s still nursing a torn pectoral muscle from October 2023 and didn’t feel ready for the April 13 mega-event.
Sonnen, who’s been in the ring with Jones back in 2013, is baffled. He thinks Jones’ public confession is nothing more than a cry for attention. “What’s going on in that guy’s head?” Sonnen asked on his YouTube channel. “There’s a level of stupid that’s hard to achieve. And Jones, well, he’s there.”
Sonnen’s got a point. When is it okay for Jones to say he was offered the main event at UFC 300? Only when he wasn’t. If this is just a ploy to grab headlines, then hats off to Jones. He’s done a great job. But if no one’s talking about you, then you’re not the heavyweight champion of the world. You’re not one of the best to ever do it.
Sonnen didn’t stop there. “The reigning, sitting heavyweight champion of the world can’t get a headline,” he continued. “If this is a lie about 300, great job. But I don’t think it’s a lie. I think he got a phone call. And then he goes and outs the organization. That’s just not cool.”
A few weeks ago, Daniel Cormier called Jones a bad employee. Sonnen thinks that’s an understatement. “What he did here, if that call really happened, is so damaging. And it’s not self-serving. What’s the payoff for Jon?”
The mystery of UFC 300’s main event continues to dominate the MMA news cycle. Dana White, UFC CEO, is scrambling to put together a killer card. With less than nine weeks to go, UFC 300 has 11 fights booked but is still missing its top billing.
Jones’ next move has been a hot topic in the MMA community since he pulled out of his UFC 295 title defense against Stipe Miocic due to injury. Tom Aspinall stepped up in his place and won the UFC interim heavyweight title. Jones has been dodging Aspinall’s attempts to book a title unification bout, insisting on re-booking the Miocic fight once he’s fit.
Sonnen’s been having a field day with Jones’ handling of the situation. “He didn’t say anything helpful,” Sonnen said of Jones. “He only said one detail that could harm the company. They don’t have a main event and they’re scrambling. That’s what the heavyweight champion just told the rest of the roster.”
Sonnen finds the situation bizarre. “It’s like he’s so desperate for attention, he’s willing to damage the company. And he didn’t mean to — he’s just stupid. But the irony is, guys like me … we’d like to give him the attention. Even if it means giving him a hard time.”
“But to come out with nothing to gain, no payoff, no reward, and advertise that your boss doesn’t have the main event he’s promised? That’s a scumbag move,” Sonnen continued. “And Dana and Hunter [Campbell] and Mick [Maynard] and Sean [Shelby], they shouldn’t have to remind you to keep things confidential. If you’re our champion, we should be able to count on you. Daniel Cormier’s right — that is a bad employee.”