UFC 151 Cancelled: Jon Jones Apologizes, Takes the Blame

Everyone was stunned on Thursday when company president Dana White cancelled UFC 151 after light heavyweight champion Jon Jones declined to fight Chael Sonnen on just eight days notice. Jones’ original opponent, Dan Henderson, dropped out due to a knee injury.

Of course, UFC officials were the ones that made the ultimate determination to pull the plug on the pay-per-view event just a week out, but Jones is the one that has been the target of everyone’s venom. Fans, fighters, media, and White have all put the bullseye squarely on the back of the 25-year-old 205-pound champion.

Chael Sonnen, in particular, has rather harshly criticized Jones’ decision, doing numerous media appearances, talking about the situation and how it was handled.

Jones on Saturday took to Twitter to accept the burden, apologizing to fighters and fans alike.

“Carrying the cross for my company’s decision. If someone has to take the blame, I will accept full responsibility for the way UFC 151 was canceled,” Jones tweeted. “I want to sincerely apologize to all the other athletes/fans who’s time and money was waisted (sic).

“I feel terrible about the way that was handled.”

Many of the undercard fights have been moved to other upcoming events. Jones will now square off with Vitor Belfort in the UFC 152 main event on Sept. 22 in Toronto.

Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com for more UFC 151 cancelled fallout coverage.