Is Chael Sonnen in the Head of Jon Jones?

The back-and-forth war of words that spawned outside the Octagon between Chael Sonnen and UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones has finally reached its boiling point.

In just three days at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Sonnen will get the opportunity to prove to his critics that he earned his shot against Jones at UFC 159.

In the same vein, Jones will get the chance to support his theory that Sonnen's an inferior opponent who talked his way into his third UFC title shot.

The oddsmakers believe Jones will get the best of Sonnen in the Octagon. In fact, Bovada.com named "Bones" an 8-to-1 (-800) favorite over "The American Gangster" (+500).

However, has Sonnen gotten in Jones' head, and if so, would it even make a difference in this seemingly lopsided light heavyweight title fight?

Dana Says Chael's Shifting of Gears Worked

UFC president Dana White observed first-hand how Sonnen shifted from brash villain to lovable mentor in just a six-month span between when the fight was announced in October and April.

White also witnessed how Sonnen's radical change in demeanor confused and frustrated the typically unflappable Jones.

In an interview with MMA Heat, White said the following when asked if Sonnen's gotten into the head of Jones:

"

There's no doubt about it. And the way that he did it is by being all friendly to him on this season of The Ultimate Fighter. And Jones said to me that night, 'I've never wanted to hurt another fighter. This is what we do. It's a sport, and whatever, (but he said) I wanna hurt this guy.' So he's definitely gotten in his head.

"

Jones Makes Light of Sonnen's Steroid Use

Just when it seemed that the duo had used their experiences on the set of The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 to reconcile their differences, Jones appeared on UFC Tonight and attacked Sonnen's reputation.

"People know that Chael Sonnen has done steroids throughout his whole career and that’s probably why his testosterone is low now," Jones said. "I don’t think that is the heart or the attitude of a champion, so that’s what I meant when I said he lacks champion’s soul."

The next day, Jones took to Twitter and apologized for defaming Sonnen, once again indicating that The American Gangster's psychological warfare was running its course on Bones.

Jones Gives Sonnen the Silent Treatment

Jon Anik stood in between Sonnen and Jones during an interview at The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 Finale and it quickly became apparent who looked comfortable and who appeared uneasy.

In an attempt to continue to promote the bout that he's called "the biggest light heavyweight fight of all time," a stoic Sonnen smoothly delivered a rehearsed routine that included bits of comedic relief, tads of truth and a few pro-wrestling-like rants.

Jones, on the contrary, appeared agitated, antsy and downright angry at times, quietly stating the following when Anik asked what he would do to stop Sonnen from getting a win: "The work is already done."

Anik then asked Jones if he had anything to say to Sonnen before he squares off with him in New Jersey, only to get a blunt "no" and a head shake out of a seemingly worked-up Bones.