Dana White shrugs off rumours of Chael Sonnen getting a title shot – UFC News
President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship Dana White has shrugged off the notions of Chael Sonnen getting a title shot if he defeats Forrest Griffin in his comeback bout at the light heavyweight division.
Sonnen, who fought Anderson Silva twice at middleweight but lost, asserted his ambitions of taking on light heavyweight champion Jon Jones this time. Sonnen claimed that he should get a title shot if he defeat Forrest Griffin in December.
However, it seems like Sonnen’s demands have not been taken too seriously by White.
“He's a long way away,” asserted White in an interview with ‘The Dave and Mahoney’ show in Las Vegas. “He's not coming off the [Anderson] Silva fight and just talking his way into a 205-pound world title shot.”
According to White, there are other contenders too in the division and the only way Sonnen can get a title shot is if he beats the top five contenders.
“[Sonnen] is going to have to beat a couple of the best of the world. If he beats Forrest Griffin, we'll shoot him right into the Top 5 and let him fight some of those guys there, and we'll see what happens.”
White spoke of Dan Henderson, saying that he is the perfect opponent for Jon Jones.
“I don't think people are giving Dan Henderson enough credit for this fight. Dan Henderson is awesome. He's a three-time world champion, and... he's got the style to beat Jon Jones. He's got a rock-solid chin, he's a great wrestler, and he's got knockout
power in both hands.”
He added that Henderson is not Jones’ usual opponent but he has the skills to take down the light heavyweight great. White is a firm believer in Henderson’s capabilities, and he knows what to expect.
On the other hand, Sonnen might be disappointed to know that White just shattered his dreams of going for a title shot soon. It seems like Sonnen will have to spend a year or two in the division to finally get his hands on Jones. If he cannot, then White
has nothing on offer for him.
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