• UFC 159

Sonnen: Jones would beat Tyson and Ali

ESPN staff
April 23, 2013

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Chael Sonnen feels he may be facing the impossible on Saturday, as he claims his opponent Jon Jones could beat up Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali in the same night.

Sonnen and Jones will meet at UFC 159 in New Jersey and the expectation levels are rising ahead of the light-heavyweight clash.

The pair have been paraded before the media and Sonnen has huge respect for his rival, claiming Jones is the best in the business.

"As great as Jon is, I don't think he understands how good he is," Sonnen said. "For him to pay tribute to Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali earlier was a very nice thing for him to do. The reality is Jon Jones could beat up Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali in the same day.

"When he says he wants to be the best ever - news flash buddy, you are the best."

Sonnen was less complimentary about Anderson Silva who is deemed the best pound-for-pound fighter in UFC.

"Here's the reality with Anderson: I stomped that guy. You can pick up his little arm as many times as you want and call him the winner, but the fact is I whipped his ass for 30 minutes," Sonnen said. "He got the jump on me for less than 30 seconds.

"He never knocked me down; I fell down. Anderson's the best pound-for-pound, but I'm the best round-for-round."

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