Greg Jackson responds to Dana White’s comments, was just giving Jon Jones his opinion
World renowned mixed martial arts coach, Greg Jackson, has quickly released a statement following the rather heated impromptu conference call tonight headed by Dana White which saw the UFC President call him “a f***ing sport killer” and claimed the only person who should speak to him is a shrink.
Speaking via The MMA Show, Jackson said:
“I was asked if it was smart to take a fight on three days notice and I don’t think it’s smart to do that. Three days to fight a guy that caliber is not a smart thing to do. I’m not trying to ruin the sport or cancel an event. I don’t know about that stuff, but thought it wasn’t a wise course of action.”
“I really like Dana and respect him…there is no ill feelings. I’m more confused than anything else. It’s a serious fight with serious ramifications. I don’t think I need to reach out to Dana. I didn’t mean to cancel an event and was asked to give an opinion and I gave it. We all got together and are on the same sheet of music. These guys are professional promoters and that’s what they do.”
“I didn’t know they had it all riding on one fight. It’s one of those things…as a trainer. I’ll give you my opinion. I’m not a yes man… I do what’s best for my guy. I’m surprised by the veracity of his response but that’s my opinion. In this case (of the short notice fight), it’s a world title fight in the best sport in the world on three days notice. This isn’t backyard brawling it’s a professional sport. I think Chael is brilliant. He circumvented an entire division went right from Anderson (Silva) to Jon. It’s brilliant he’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain. I’m always impressed by him.”
The event set for September 22nd in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, will now revert to UFC 151 and be headlined by not only Jones vs. Machida but Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson for the vacant flyweight title. Stay tuned to MMABay for more on this situation as we get it including no doubt a bunch of insults heading Jones’ way by none other than Chael Sonnen.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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