In 2012, UFC champion Jon Jones faced a dilemma when his opponent for a title defense at UFC 151, Dan Henderson, pulled out just 9 days before the event. Despite efforts to find a replacement, Jones was left with only one option - to face Chael Sonnen with less than a week's notice. With such a short timeframe, Jones turned to his coach, Greg Jackson, for guidance. Jackson's decision ultimately proved costly for the UFC, and here's why.
The Count’ said, “[Greg] Jackson told him that fighting Chael Sonnen on short notice would be the biggest mistake of his career. And on that advice. Jones refused the fight.”“With no alternative and no time to put on another main event, the event was canceled. The first ever UFC event in the ZUFA era to be called off. Jon Jones wouldn’t fight Chael Sonnen on him on a couple of weeks notice,” he added later on.
After Jones' decision to not fight at UFC 151, UFC president Dana White criticized him and called Jackson a "sport killer" for advising him.
Jones went on to successfully defend his title against Vitor Belfort at UFC 152, while Sonnen eventually got his shot at the gold but was knocked out in the first round at UFC 159.