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Jon Jones is more than just good, that's a given.
He became the youngest ever to capture the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight title by blitzing through the competition which included Quinton Jackson, Mauricio Rua, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida, among others.
His lone blemish came against Matt Hamill, losing via disqualification thanks to some "illegal" elbows.
Daniel Cormier thinks so. And now, Jones' opponent at UFC 159 this Saturday night (April 27, 2013) in Newark, New Jersey, is tossing the same praise Jon's way.
During a recent UFC 159 media conference call, Chael Sonnen -- who says title shots earn him, and not the other way around -- labeled "Bones" as the "best" in mixed martial arts (MMA). So much so, that he feels Jones could beat two of the best boxers to ever don a pair of gloves: Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali ... at the same time.
The only problem, according to "The American Gangster," is that Jones doesn't truly realize just how good he really is:
"As great as Jon is, I don't think he realizes how good he is. He could beat Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson in the same day. News flash buddy, you are the best. Maybe Tito Ortiz had a couple more wins, but he didn't have the competition he's faced. If I feel pressure, yeah, there's a lot of pressure. This is a tough guy in a tough environment. That's the sport. I don't earn title shots. Title shots earn me. I don't go after main events, main events go after me. Whether I earned or not or if I deserve it, I take what I want and that's it."
The rival Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 17 coaches, for the most part, have kept it pretty cordial in the lead up to their 205-pound collision in Jersey.
Sure, Chael has been trying his best to promote the fight in true Sonnen fashion, while "Bones" on the other hand, not so much. He has, however, launched steroid accusations Chael's way, only to take them right back.
Nevertheless, Sonnen and Jones will get it on this weekend at "The Rock" as the champ will look to add to his ever-growing legacy and "The American Gangster" will try to do what Ali and Tyson together can't.
And that's defeat the "best" UFC light heavyweight champion in history.