UFC 151 Cancelled: Fighters Speak Out on Twitter

When the news broke on Thursday that UFC 151: Jones vs. Henderson was cancelled, many of the fighters scheduled to compete on the card reacted through social media, particularly the popular website Twitter.

Most of the fighters’ initial reactions – similar to UFC president Dana White – took aim at UFC light heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones for not accepting the fight with Chael Sonnen, who offered to step in and replace the injured Dan Henderson.

UFC veteran Dennis Hallman, who was scheduled to face Thiago Tavares on the main card of UFC 151, took to Twitter to voice his disapproval of Jones’ decision.

“Hey @JonnyBones thanks for being so considerate to your fellow fighters, what a model champion. I guess we can stop the Ali comparisons,” tweeted Hallman to his 11,000-plus followers.

“I must b delusional 2 think that a champ shouldn’t turn down fights. His biz is now f-ing my biz, makes me cross,” Hallman later added.

Not every fighter drives a Bentley, or has a mansion, or lucrative endorsement deals.  Some fighters, most fighters, compete to make ends meet.  It’s what they do to provide food and shelter for their families.

Jeff Hougland was scheduled to take on Takeya Mizugaki on the UFC 151 prelims that were supposed to air on FX.  UFC 151 would have been his third fight in the organization.

“@jonnybones Can I at least get one of your new Nike T-shirts? I’ll give it to my kid since I won’t have any money for her school clothes,” tweeted Hougland.

Charlie Brenneman was scheduled to face Kyle Noke on the UFC 151 preliminary card.  He voiced concerned about the financial loss of fighters who were expecting to be receiving a paycheck next weekend, and he also took aim at Jones for the UFC 151 cancellation.

“@jonnybones u can send my check to PO box 198. EH NJ. Rent is due the first, so preferably by then. Thanks,” tweeted Brenneman.  He later tweeted, “Me n @rick_story took a fight on 24 hrs notice!! Champ what?!?!”

Danny Castillo was scheduled to take on Michael Johnson on the UFC 151 prelims on FX. He too voiced financial concerns with the event cancellation.

“Who got $50 I can borrow till my next fight?”  Castillo continued via Twitter, “Sallie mae just called, she said she don’t give a (expletive) #UFC151 or not my payment better not be late!”

Daron Cruickshank, who was scheduled to face Henry Martinez took a more lighthearted approach at expressing his disappointment at the UFC 151 cancellation.

“Sorry kitty only food that’s on sale for you now. That’s ok you needed a diet anyway. RIP ufc151,” tweeted Cruickshank.

Kyle Noke expressed his sympathy for the fans who planned to attend the UFC 151 event next weekend in Las Vegas that are now out money.

“I’m no longer fighting. the whole @ufc 151 card is cancelled. Sorry to all fans who bought flight, hotel, and fight tickets. #heartbroken,” tweeted Noke

As Thursday came to a close, maybe no other fighter scheduled to fight on the UFC 151 card summed up the day better than Eddie Yagin.  He was expecting to face Dennis Siver on the main card.

“Sucks for everyone else scheduled to fight,” tweeted Yagin. “Damn damn damn…”

As bad as it seemed as the sun set on Thursday, by daylight Friday many scheduled UFC 151 fighters had new dates in hand.

UFC 152 picked up Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort as the headliner, as well as the cancelled UFC 151 match-up between Charlie Brenneman and Kyle Noke.

Four of the UFC 151 scheduled match-ups were moved to UFC on FX 5.  Jake Ellenberger vs. Jay Heiron, Michael Johnson vs. Danny Castillo, Shane Roller vs. Jacob Volkmann and Dennis Hallman vs. Thiago Tavares have been moved to the Oct. 5 event in Minneapolis.

UFC on Fuel TV 6 picked up the UFC 151 canceled match-up between Takeya Mizugaki and Jeff Hougland.

Several other fighters, such as former UFC champion Frankie Edgar and current Strikeforce champion Ronda Rousey commented on the UFC 151 cancellation in various interviews.