Jon Jones lobs steroid accusation at Chael Sonnen ahead of UFC 159 title fight

UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones has noticably dialed down the trash-talk ahead of next weekend’s UFC 159 headliner with Chael Sonnen, but he’s thrown a substantial accusation at the title challenger.

When asked why he said Sonnen doesn’t have a “championship soul” in a recent interview, Jones let loose on Tuesday’s edition of “UFC Tonight” on FUEL TV.

“Chael Sonnen is a guy who people know he’s done steroids throughout his career,” he said. “It’s probably the reason why his testosterone is low now. I don’t think that’s the heart or an attitude of a champion. That’s what I meant when I said he lacks a championship soul.”

Sonnen, a recent middleweight title challenger who was granted an immediate shot at the belt with his move up to light heavyweight, has never tested positive for steroids, though the California State Athletic Commission suspended him in 2010 over his use of prescribed testosterone.

“Chael Sonnen is doing what he does best, which is promoting the fight,” Jones said. “And I’m going to let him do it.”

Jones (17-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) and Sonnen (27-12-1 MMA, 6-5 UFC) headline UFC 159 on April 27. The event airs on pay-per-view from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

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