Pros React to Henderson Injury, Jon Jones Turning Down Chael Sonnen, Cancellation of UFC 151

At some point during Thursday afternoon's fateful conference call, UFC President Dana White dropped a mid-rant comment about how light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has struggled to gain popularity with fans, and the day's events probably wouldn't help him in that regard. In all likelihood White's words will prove to be 100-percent correct, but the level of vitriol spewed from fans was nothing when compared to flood of hatred let loose by Jones' fellow fighters.

To recap, an MCL tear in Dan Henderson's knee led to his withdrawal from the UFC 151's main event. Several fighters were asked to fill in opposite Jones, but none accepted except one: Chael Sonnen.

However Jones rejected the Sonnen fight, UFC 151 was subsequently cancelled, and White downright threw Jones and his trainer, Greg Jackson, under the bus for what he called a "selfish, disgusting" decision.

In truth, the whole situation is as shocking and bizarre as it gets. But none are hurt more than the fighters who invested countless dollars and the last three months of their lives preparing for a bout that will never come, and nowhere was that stark truth more evident than on Twitter.

30 min to cement your legacy. Champ or Coward? I make a lot more than you do... Show up in 8 days I'll give you my purse.

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) August 23, 2012

Jones said he's not fighting chael on 8 days notice. I did. .... Just sayin

— michael (@bisping) August 23, 2012

Wait am I not fighting?? Please say it ain't so I got bills to pay @ufc !

— Jeff Hougland (@JeffHougland) August 23, 2012

@jonnybones Can I at least get one of your new Nike T-shirts? I'll give it to my kid since I won't have any money for her school clothes.

— Jeff Hougland (@JeffHougland) August 23, 2012

Very very sad for other fighters who were on the card of UFC 151 ! I know how much its cost with money and time to prepare for a fight !

— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) August 23, 2012

Wow! WTF! #HeartBroken #frankmirface

— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) August 23, 2012

Who got $50 I can borrow till my next fight?;)

— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) August 23, 2012

Me n @rick_story took a fight on 24 hrs norice!!Champ what?!?! @ufc

— Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) August 23, 2012

@jonnybones u can send my check to PO box 198. EH NJ. Rent is due the first, so preferably by then. Thanks. @ufc

— Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) August 23, 2012

I gotta say, I feel bad for the fighters and my training partner @meanstim who will not get to compete next weekend @ufc 151. #JustFight

— Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) August 23, 2012

yes. He is to blame. "@raisedright: @aaronsimpson you’re the only fighter I follow Can you blame jones for turning down the fight?"

— Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) August 23, 2012

Im no longer fighting. the whole @ufc 151 card is cancelled. Sorry to all fans who bought flight, hotel, and fight tickets. #heartbroken

— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) August 23, 2012

I train my ass off I sacrifice myself&my family and my fights get canceled and sponsors bullshit me and don't pay. #UFC151canceled #livid

— Henry Martinez (@HenryMartinez83) August 23, 2012

Not only am out a paycheck I pay $1300 for my family 2 come 2 my fight now Delta Airlines will not change their flights except for $800 more

— Henry Martinez (@HenryMartinez83) August 23, 2012

I am so livid right now I was the biggest Jon jones fan but not anymore that guy is bad for the sport his fans and other fighters he doesn't

— john albert (@UFCPrinceAlbert) August 23, 2012

Understand or forgot what it's like being a lower ranked fighter like me or @jeffhougland who make pennies compared to him and fighting is

— john albert (@UFCPrinceAlbert) August 23, 2012

Our livelihood and we survive by fighting and all the hard work those 20 other fighters put in are goin to waste utterly discusted

— john albert (@UFCPrinceAlbert) August 23, 2012

Screw u guys calling him selfish man. I can’t stand fans. Of course he’s selfish. Who’s gonna take care of his shit if he doesn’t. You? #FOH

— Jason High (@KCBanditMMA) August 23, 2012

All that said, I’d have liked to see Chael fight Jones.

— Jason High (@KCBanditMMA) August 23, 2012

I am completely bewildered that Jon Jones didn't accept the fight with Chael Sonnen. Never saw that coming in a million years.

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) August 23, 2012

Now the entire UFC card is scrapped because Jones didn't accept a fight with a 185lb'er who is completely out of shape.WOW.Just wow.

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) August 23, 2012

People coming to my show at Mandalay Bay on Friday the 31st- because of the UFC canceling the event, Mandalay is canceling the show as well.

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) August 23, 2012

If I was in Jones' shoes I'd have said "Bring me the contract and I'll bring you his head.". To me, the scenario was far in Jones' favor.

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) August 23, 2012

But if it was me instead of Jones...I'm a mercenary. You pay for war and you got it. #LeaveNoManstanding

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) August 23, 2012

Wow Can't believe UFC 151 is canceled!!!

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) August 23, 2012

Just heard the news. I got flights, hotels, tons of stuff I have 2 take care of. Just finished my last hard practice. Hope it's not true.

— Shane Roller (@shaneroller) August 23, 2012

Chael Sonnen continues to impress with his thuggery #WellDone

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) August 23, 2012

1. I feel bad for all the fighters who won't get paid.2. I feel bad for all the fans3. Feel even worse for the fans who r going to show up

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) August 23, 2012

I'm still shocked that an entire card got scratched because of 1 fight. I would be fucken pissed if I was a fighter on the ghost card.

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) August 23, 2012

For all the ppl who don't understand the SPORT of MMA (@ufc)...ask an NFL team to play the Superbowl vs a not worthy opponent...

— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) August 23, 2012

Bones wouldn't be taking the fight on "8 days notice" he's been training for a fight for (cont) tl.gd/j08v19

— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) August 23, 2012

I don't understand not taking a fight espically when you're in shape and fighting a guy who is a (cont) tl.gd/j091oe

— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) August 23, 2012

Ok fine I'll step at fight jones it will be my light heavyweight debut, no sense and canceling a whole show... @ufc #Letsgo

— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) August 23, 2012

@jonnybones is a fraud. He's all about his $$ but he won't take a fight with @sonnench who would bring in WAY more $$? He's scared, period.

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) August 23, 2012

99.999% of @ufc fighters will be "company men" and help our organization if needed. @sonnench is a company man, @jonnybones is selfish.

— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) August 23, 2012

Damn I was going to #ufc151 that's a real bummer

— Patrick Healy (@BamBamHealy) August 23, 2012

Greg Jackson should of drew up one of his cross country game plans. Run,run,run. Don't u dare fight, in this fight. #ufc151

— Seth Baczynski (@Sethbmma) August 23, 2012

Just so people know I'm ready to step in & fight Jon Jones next week it saves me cutting weight on sep 29th lol #JustSaying #GypsyJiuJitsu

— John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) August 23, 2012

@jonnybones is smart....its a business. Dont knock him for his decision. Yall aint in his shoes!!! U dont see it in big boxing events.

— King Mo (@KingMoFH) August 23, 2012

WOW. Absolutely SHOCKED at the cancellation of UFC 151, my mind is blown.

— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) August 23, 2012

If u wanted to make money y wouldn't u want to fight @sonnench who was just part of biggest ppv in @ufc historyReally disappointed

— Brock Jardine (@BrockJardine) August 23, 2012

Damn that really sucks for all the other 151 fighters ..now don't get to fight .. Just wrong.. I would be pissed..

— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) August 23, 2012

It's a crazy and unpredictable world our MMA sport is @ufc

— Thiago Alves. (@ThiagoAlvesATT) August 23, 2012

@sonnench= lol at getting a UFC canceled wowI hear by declare myself your HW disciple.

— Uncle Ben(@RothwellFighter) August 23, 2012

Something doesnt make sense Jones said he doesnt wanna fight machida cause he dont wanna be a broke fighter. Now hes not getting paid at all

— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) August 23, 2012

UFC 151 canceled... :( no more cold spoon. Thats like me sitting on my own balls. Shocking saddening and painful

— DaMarques Johnson (@DaMarques_UFC) August 23, 2012

I would be pissed if I was on #UFC151 j-lau.com/NIMIF3

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) August 23, 2012

I can't believe a whole show was canceled because of Jon Jones!! He should have to relinquish his belt

— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) August 23, 2012

@tavaresmma man this sucks! What a sad day for MMA

— Dennis Hallman (@DennisHallman) August 23, 2012

Feel bad for all those fighters who were on UFC 151.

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) August 23, 2012

The news of UFC 151 cancelled is heartbreaking!!! Trying to stay positive that its Gods plan & not mine!!! Jon Jones is selfish For that!!!

— Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) August 23, 2012

Update: UFC 152 on September 22 will remain named UFC 152. UFC 151 will simply not happen. @arielhelwani remains good at math.

— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2012

Things that people learned today:Chael @sonnench is the man! A lot of people will be losing money. Jon Jones doesn't give a shit.

— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) August 23, 2012

Times up

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) August 23, 2012

"And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him" - Sun Tzu

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 23, 2012