• UFC 140

Jon Jones loses GSP aid for Machida fight

ESPN staff
October 13, 2011
Jon Jones is staying loyal to Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit ahead of the pair's UFC title fight © Getty Images
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Jon Jones will be without Georges St-Pierre as he prepares for his second UFC title defence against Lyoto Machida later this year.

Jones and Machida will square off on December 10 in the light-heavyweight division, as the champion attempts to take out three former title holders in the same year. Machida has already predicted that he can take the youngster into a fifth round for the first time.

St-Pierre usually provides one of Jones' training partners at Greg Jackson's gym, but GSP is taking on fellow team-mate Carlos Condit at UFC 137. As a result, Jones will not show disloyalty to either man.

"I don't think I'll be training with Georges leading up to this fight," Jones said. "Him and Carlos are fighting and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that friendship leading up to this fight."

St-Pierre could still provide key tactical pointers for Jones, though, with Machida - like St-Pierre - fighting out of a karate base. GSP's route into MMA came through Kyokushin karate, while Machida was born into the family of Shotokan master Yoshizo.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian has confirmed he will have Anderson Silva helping him out for the Toronto battle. Silva is Jones' hero and the man he bases the majority of his striking style on.

"Anderson's already called me and said he wants to come to my hometown and show me some things. I'm just waiting for this to happen," Machida said. "I guarantee that on December 10th I will be very well prepared and I can overcome his athleticism with my technique."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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