• UFC 159

Jones: Sonnen lacks heart and soul

ESPN staff
April 2, 2013
Jon Jones believes he will defeat Chael Sonnen in 'devastating fashion' © Getty Images
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UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones has launched a scathing attack on UFC 159 challenger Chael Sonnen, citing his opponent lacks the heart and soul to become a champion.

'Bones' Jones (17-1-0) and Sonnen will headline the card in New Jersey on April 27 and Jones firmly believes that he will have no problem inflicting a 'devastating' defeat on his rival, stating that Sonnen is all talk.

"The beautiful thing about Chael is that he uses his words," Jones told UFC.com. "That's about all he has. He's just a gang of quotes that no one is going to remember.

"He's just weak in every way, shape, or form. He taps before submissions are even sunk in. If I put one hand around his throat, he's probably gonna tap."

Jones has long been compared to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, but it was opponent Sonnen who he likened to The Louisville Lip, declaring the West Linn-born grappler can talk a good fight but, unlike Ali, does not possess the necessary qualities to become a champion.

"Guys like Muhammad Ali, they said a lot of things that were bold statements," Jones said. "The difference between guys like Muhammad Ali and Chael is that guys like Muhammad Ali actually believe.

"No matter how much he tries to convince himself that he's gonna win this fight or that he's the champion without the belt; he just doesn't believe and that's why he comes up short in every opportunity he has to be a champion. He doesn't have a champion's soul, heart, work ethic. Nothing.

"He's not a champion. He's not made out of championship stuff. He just wants that spotlight. He wants that opportunity. He wants that big fight, and I'm gonna give him what he wants.

"I will defeat Chael Sonnen in an extremely devastating fashion."

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