UFC 159: Mike Dolce Says 'Chael Sonnen Will Be Stronger Than (Jon) Jones'

Famed nutritionist to the stars Mike Dolce wants everyone to know that Jon Jones' size and power won't be a factor in his UFC 159 title defense against Chael Sonnen, one of Dolce's clients.

Dolce went as far as saying that Sonnen will be the stronger light heavyweight inside the Octagon during the main event of the April pay-per-view (via Imperio MMA). 

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"Everybody thinks that Jones is bigger than Sonnen, but that's not true. Sonnen walks at 240 lbs, almost the same as Jones. I've never seen Sonnen so strong and motivated in my life, he's training harder and harder, Dolce said. "Chael is an extremely organized and focused guy, he's ready for the fight and he's going to be stronger than in the Jones fight day, a lot of people will be surprised."

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While many pundits will consider Dolce's proclamation a bold one, this isn't the first time he has talked about "The American Gangster" putting on some serious size for his return to the light heavyweight division. 

Back in late November, he tweeted that Sonnen was walking around at a ripped 240 pounds. 

Regardless of how hard Sonnen is weight lifting and dieting, it is still hard to imagine he could be stronger that the 6'4" Jones, who has admitted that a move to heavyweight is in his future.

Dolce also addressed the notion that many expect "Bones" to make short work of Sonnen, a sentiment he certainly does not support. 

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"There are still three months before the fight, but Chael is already training his hardest. If Jones is thinking that the fight is going to be easy, he is wrong. I think that Chael will put him down and will show his power in the fight. That I expect."

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Sonnen, a two-time All-American wrestler in college, has some of the best takedowns in MMA, so in that regard, he makes an interesting challenge for a fighter who has never been taken down inside the cage. 

A Sonnen victory would be a massive upset, as Jones is currently riding an eight-fight winning streak that includes victories over former divisional champions Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort. 

Will Sonnen actually shock the world and throw Jones around like a rag doll at UFC 159, or is Dolce just talking up one of his big name clients?