One SAVAGE trash-talk against Jon Jones in 2013 landed title shot, says UFC Hall of Famer

A good guy and a bad guy sit down for a combat sports-centric one-on-one. What do they talk about? Common rival Jon Jones, of course. It’s been years since Daniel Cormier or Chael Sonnen faced ‘Bones’ in the ring. Nevertheless, both have had some epic and heated build-ups in the process. ‘The American Gangster’ even got a title shot opportunity banking on running his wits and mouth.

UFC welterweight Joaquin Buckley recently gave his thoughts on ‘DC’ snubbing his aspirations as the worst callout ever. Meanwhile, Caio Borralho called out and beat the No. 5 185lber and then called out the divisional champ. Daniel Cormier and Sonnen did an ESPN MMA segment reiterating their worst callouts so far. When the subject shifted to Jones. Chael Sonnen explained the benefits of excellent trash-talks.

Same thing when I was picking a fight with Jon Jones, man…I finally went the other way. I said that I ran into Jon on Halloween, …that I took his candy like he was a little kid, pushed him down. He lost his mind! That single line is what ended up getting the fight…he was so mad [pouts and mimics]…’that’s not true, I didn’t even go for Halloween this year’…
Chael Sonnen via the ‘Good Guy / Bad Guy’ Show for ESPN MMA (@ESPNMMA)

Sonnen is the game’s best trash-talker. More importantly, the Oregon native knows how to sell a hard fight with just a few pointed words. The ‘American Gangster’ might not tout some of the best face-offs in UFC competition. But his rivalry with Jones in 2013, Anderson Silva, or even his The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 moment with Wanderlei Silva, makes up for some iconic stuff.

Sonnen isn’t the only one who has taken up a rough approach. Daniel Cormier himself had quite a rivalry with Jones, that got physical many times. The duo also weighed in on the otherwise respectful UFC interim HW champ Tom Aspinall switching up tones with Jones. The heavyweight champion has been subbing him for a title unification forever. If history is any proof, a lengthy smack talk might just do; Sonnen consequently has a lot of experience of that with Jones.

The Jon Jones-Chael Sonnen beef paly-by-play

Jon Jones is never out of the conversation of being an MMA great. In 2013, Chael Sonnen found the opportune moment to insert himself into the conversation and face him for the gold. While ‘Bones’ did knock him out in R1 of the UFC 159, the rivalry stood.

Chael Sonnen has been part of Jon Jones’ complicated legacy (Source: X/heavy.com)

The trash-talking king reignited his bone to pick after the fighter slammed his battery citations. Jones had once tweeted about birthing something epic down the line, which Sonnen ripped. Jon Jones fired back, reiterating how he won defending his LHW belt for the fifth time when he faced the TUF: Season 17 co-coach. From that, it went on to hurling insults at wives and talking about “living in shadows.”