UFC 159's Jon Jones: Sonnen isn't making $10 million, Mitrione is a 'scumbag'

NEW YORK – It’s been a bad day for fighters who found themselves in Jon Jones‘ crosshairs today.

The UFC light-heavyweight champion fielded a variety of questions today during a UFC 159 media session, and opponent Chael Sonnen (27-12-1 MMA, 6-5 UFC), as well as UFC heavyweight Matt Mitrione, drew some sharp criticism.

Jones (17-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) first laughed off Sonnen’s recent claim that he’ll make $10 million for fighting the champion in Saturday’s UFC 159 event, which airs on pay-per-view from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. But then Jones quickly pivoted to criticism of Mitrione.

“I’ll tell you guys as sincerely as possible: Chael is not making $10 million in this fight,” Jones told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “If you guys believe it, I just don’t [understand] it.”

Jones’ manager, Malki Kawa, then weighed in and said he should be fired if Sonnen, who recently made the $10 million claim on the “Dan Le Batard Is Highly Questionable” show, is actually making that kind of money.

“Malki, you’re fired,” Jones joked. “I’ll get Matt Mitrione on you.”

Jones, of course, is referring to the time when Mitrione fired Kawa during a post-fight interview in 2010. But his joking quickly subsided, and he unloaded on Mitrione, whom the UFC recently suspended after he made disparaging remarks about transgender MMA fighter Fallon Fox.

Earlier this month Mitrione called Fox a “lying, sick, sociopathic, disgusting freak” for fighting females. Jones said Mitrione, whose UFC-mandated suspension was short-lived and will return this summer at UFC on FX 8, is a “scumbag” due to his remarks.

“I think he’s terrible for that,” Jones said. “It’s ridiculous. I think Fallon Fox, that’s a strong person. Despite what the person has been through in their life, that’s a strong person. I’m a fan of that person because of what they’ve gone through and what they’re willing to go through.

“People like Matt Mitrione are scumbags. He’s a scumbag. I don’t care if he’s off suspension or doesn’t fight again. He’s a ridiculous person.”

Jones said he believes in freedom of speech but that being a “decent” person should trump all.

“He needs to shut his mouth,” Jones said. “That’s how I feel about that kid. He’s scum.”

For more on UFC 159, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.