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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones may have left mixed martial arts (MMA) fans with sour tastes in their mouths after his awkward interview on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 17 Finale broadcast over the weekend, but that certainly wasn't the case after his appearance on FUEL TV's "UFC Tonight" this evening (Tues., April 16, 2013).
In an interview with hosts Kenny Florian and Dominick Cruz, "Bones" gave the headline-grabbing quote fans and media were looking for, accusing his current rival and UFC 159 opponent Chael Sonnen of being a steroid abuser for "his whole career."
Sonnen is a well-documented user of testosterone-replacement-therapy (TRT), and Jones believes the reason his future foe needs the treatment is to make up for the damage he's done to his body with steroids. Despite not having any proof to back up his bold claim, the reigning 205-pound king was firm in his accusations toward the 36-year-old.
"Chael Sonnen is a guy who has done steroids throughout his whole career," Jones told Florian and Cruz. "It's probably the reason his testosterone is low now."
Jones recently said that he believes Sonnen isn't made of "that championship stuff," and called him "weak," among other things. The 25-year-old was asked exactly what he meant by those comments and was happy to elaborate.
"I don't think [taking steroids] is the heart, or attitude, of a champion," Jones said. "So, that's what I meant when I said he lacked championship soul."
With their looming showdown at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on April 27, 2013, right around the corner and the fighters winding down their camps, the talking will soon be over and the fighting will begin.
The dominant champion is eager for that day to arrive, and when it finally does, he hopes the fifth man to challenge for his belt will show up in peak form and "bring it."
"Bring it, those are my words for Chael," Jones said. "Bring your best, I hope you are having a great camp, I hope you are healthy. I'm excited for the challenge."
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