"He’s a very calm, relaxed and methodical fighter. And because of that, I’m sorry to say, ‘Yes,’ he is a dirty fighter. Maybe when he was looking down and then pushing the fingers in the eyes, maybe that happened, I didn’t check that out. But, he knows exactly what he is doing at any given time. And his fingers were definitely in his face … and for a long time. He was constantly rubbing him in the face. So, yeah, I’m sorry, I’d have to say, ‘Yes.’"
-- Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion -- and current host on AXS TV's "Inside MMA" program -- Bas Rutten weighs in on the recent eye-poke controversy that has enveloped dominant 205-pound champion, Jon Jones. Rutten feels that the dynamic and intelligent young champion knows exactly what he is doing inside the Octagon, pawing at recent opponents such as Glover Teixeira and Alexander Gustafsson to keep them at bay with his incredible reach ...and long fingers. Referees have warned Jones about his dangerous digits, but have yet to deduct points that could have been difference makers, especially in the close decision win over "The Mauler." Company President Dana White has even come out and declared that "something must be done" to curtail the technique, while Jones responded in typical Jones fashion, taking to social media to mock critics with a video of him crying like a baby ... and then trying to delete the evidence unsuccessfully. Is Jones pushing the limits of what is considered illegal -- or dirty -- inside the cage or is this all much ado about nothing?