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Sonnen labels former UFC champ a fight-ducker

Chael Sonnen is waiting to fight Jon Jones © Getty Images

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Chael Sonnen has once again baited Rampage Jackson, as the pair continue a feud that may one day lead to a bad-blooded grudge match.

Sonnen previously mocked former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jackson, claiming when Ronda Rousey became the first female to join the promotion that she was another fighter who could beat Rampage.

Now Sonnen has aimed a dig at Jackson's recent record of injuries, which has seen him withdraw from fights with Mauricio Shogun Rua and Glover Teixeira. His clash with Teixeira has been rearranged for January 26, but Sonnen continued to make fun of Rampage on Twitter.

"A guy on the roster is ducking fights until his contract expires! For legal reasons, I can't say his name, but it rhymes with Jenton Quackson!"

Rampage is all set to leave the UFC after his final fight with Teixeira, although he remains a major draw for viewing figures. Should the UFC and Jackson wish to extend their partnership, a grudge match with Sonnen - who fights Jon Jones for the 205lb title in April - would be the perfect match-up.

Meanwhile, Donald Cerrone has revealed even some of Jones' team-mates did not agree with his decision not to fight Sonnen at UFC 151. Jones was partly responsible for the first cancelled UFC card after he refused to take a bout with Sonnen on eight days' notice.

The UFC light-heavyweight champion later explained to ESPN that eight days was not enough to prepare for the fight, and he also did not think Sonnen deserved the title shot. Cerrone, a Greg Jackson team-mate, says he has challenged Jones about it since.

"I'd have fought. They could call me tomorrow and ask me to fight. I think you need to fight," Cerrone said during a Q&A. "That's our job. I don't think you should curl up and find a way out.

"He's my team-mate, and we have this discussion all the time. I said, 'You should've done it.' And he goes, 'Well, you don't make a million [dollars] to fight.' And I said, 'You're right, but I f***ing fight every time with all my heart.'"

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