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If you can get UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell talking about Jon Jones, just sit back and enjoy.
The beef between the former light heavyweight champs goes back years and seems to have started when Liddell took a shot at Jones for refusing to fight at UFC 151. Chuck has also been a critic of Jones' fighting style for years, believing 'Bones' doesn't have enough killer instinct.
Asked this week if he sees anyone beating Jones at 205 pounds in the near future, Liddell looked pained to dole out some props for the champ in exile.
"We'll see how he comes back," Liddell told The Fighter and The Kid podcast. "He always shows up to fight. He's good at winning fights. If he keeps beating everybody he's the best right now. I still think if he fought someone like me in my prime he would have a lot of trouble.
"The problem is he doesn't hit hard enough to hurt me and he's not going to out-wrestle me. He's not going to out-wrestle me and I hit too hard for him. I would catch him sooner or later. Styles make fights."
Jones is booked to challenge Daniel Cormier April 23 at UFC 197 in a rematch of their five-round title bout at UFC 182. Jones' legal trouble led to his title being stripped by the promotion and he hasn't fought since.
"What he does really well, if you've got a guy that's a great striker, he can out-wrestle them," Liddell said of Jones. "If he's got a guy who's a wrestler, he can out-strike him, out-point him. For me? I'd be big trouble for him because if he could take me down he wouldn't be able to keep me down, if he even got a takedown. I will hit him. I'll put my hands on him. I could still give him trouble."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
RDA out, Diaz in. UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos injured, out of UFC 196 main event fight against Conor McGregor who will now face Nate Diaz at 170 pounds.
'It was meant to happen, it was a misfortune.' Coach Rafael Cordeiro details injury that forced Rafael dos Anjos out of UFC 196 clash with Conor McGregor.
No rematch. Jose Aldo not in shape, turned down offer to replace Rafael dos Anjos against Conor McGregor at UFC 196.
'As it turns out, he was dying.' 'Dawg Fight' Director Billy Corben says Dada 5000 "absolutely" almost died after Kimbo Slice fight, has made "miraculous" recovery.
'They're not going to own up to that mistake.' Marion Reneau plans appeal of sketchy decision loss to Ashlee Evans-Smith in Pittsburgh.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Fight Night: London embedded episode 2.
Dana White announces McGregor vs. Diaz on SportsCenter.
My training partner Nick the Tooth wants his rematch with Matt Serra. (full show here)
Anderson Silva's top 5 KO's.
Highlights from the regional scene.
Luke Rockhold and Robbie Lawler battle in a staredown contest.
Long watches.
If I Did It: Conor needs a foe, Kimbo nearly fatal freakshow, Kesha, Bern out
...
Anderson Silva Vs Michael Bisping - Pre-Fight Analysis - Firas Zahabi
TWEETS
Check out the pros reacting to RDA pulling out of UFC 196.
Reactions to Diaz vs. McGregor.
He's going to have to get on his knees and beg...
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) February 23, 2016
UFC does not want me to fight Connor because they said the time I fought was 2 thousand years ago and I fought Bears!!!
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 23, 2016
Fuck!
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) February 24, 2016
All I have to say is this is going to be good @NateDiaz209 is down to scrap and so is @TheNotoriousMMA there will be no takedowns in this 1
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) February 24, 2016
I can see it now, Diaz sticking up middle fingers and McGregor screaming "I'll change your bum life" #UFC196
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 24, 2016
The face you make when your previously assumed non-needle mover moves your needle #ufc196 #STOCKTON209WHAT pic.twitter.com/D8LUVO14JY
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) February 24, 2016
Conor vs Diaz??? Niiiiice.... Can you say WARRRR???
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) February 24, 2016
Quite the change up for the main event! Really looking forward to this fight though! And pray... https://t.co/bfzYmb2tXk
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 24, 2016
This. Is. Happening. @TheNotoriousMMA vs @nickdiaz209 March 5th @ufc #fcukyeah #ufc196 pic.twitter.com/zO0vRZx00Z
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) February 24, 2016
I like the Conor and Diaz fight I just wish Diaz had a full training camp #UFC196
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) February 24, 2016
Congrats to my boy @natediaz209 with his fight with @TheNotoriousMMA @ufc 196 Sitting next to @nickdiaz209 for... https://t.co/SCcWZ53VtG
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) February 24, 2016
Get well soon.
--->>>Me desculpem todos os fans de verdade e ao @ufc , em toda minha carreira de 32 lutas eu nunca precisei cancelar...
Posted by Rafael Dos Anjos on Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Beef.
@TheNotoriousMMA Needs a Late Replacement. Even if I petitioned for the Fight The Little Bitch wouldn't Accept. No likes to Lose #IstaySharp
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 24, 2016
No one is begging for a fight. @TeamKhabib Needs an Ass Whoopin'. I'm sure @TheNotoriousMMA felt a real Human Feeling Not Knowing Who is Nxt
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 24, 2016
All you fake bandwagon fans that stand w/ that man lemme give u a hand. #FuckConnor This is My Division. Face of the UFC can sick my duck
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 24, 2016
@TonyFergusonXT If you think that you can talk to me like this you're mistaken boy
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 24, 2016
Can we book Me vs @UriahHallMMA at UFC 197. My son is being sassy so I'm gonna put him across my legs and spank his a** @danawhite @ufc
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 24, 2016
Meanwhile at Team Sore Toe.....
— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) February 23, 2016
pic.twitter.com/uLqeC9wOdX
So much for no beef.
#Repost @jonnybones with @repostapp. https://t.co/W7NjwKDhYD pic.twitter.com/mA4ZwxuwI9
— JacksonWinkMMA (@JacksonWinkMMA) February 24, 2016
Agree?
McGregor gets so deep in these guys heads that they are training angry trying to do too much and hurt themselves. #mindgames
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) February 24, 2016
Fighting at 170 lbs. how great wud it be to fight at our natural walking around weights?! Which bantam wants to dance at 156lbs? #UFC196
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) February 24, 2016
We sure?
Did everybody miss the point in Danas announcement? If Connor wins, he's fighting Robbie next.
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) February 24, 2016
Good stuff.
Walked out of the cage and got the best hug from the strongest warrior I know!! Enjoying this journey! @ufc pic.twitter.com/cNV6FEyv2K
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) February 23, 2016
I hope not.
This how we spar at @ATTEvolution pic.twitter.com/o0li2F6f8u
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) February 23, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Feb. 23 2016)
Francimar Barroso vs. Nikita Krylov at UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Overeem
Yan Cabral vs. Reza Madadi at UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Overeem
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.