UFC Events, Fights & News 2014: Bas Rutten Says Jon Jones is a 'Dirty Player' - Find Out Why

Bas Rutten called Jon Jones a "dirty fighter" after the latter poked Glover Teixeira in the eye several times during their fight at UFC 172.

Rutten said, "[Jones is] a very calm, relaxed methodical fighter, and because he is that, I'm sorry I have to say yes. That is a dirty fighter, maybe that happened, I didn't check that out. But he knows exactly what he's doing at any given time, and his fingers were definitely in [Teixeira's face] for a long time. He was constantly rubbing them in the face."

In an article by Bleacher Report, fans debated whether Jones used the tactic to check his distance against opponents while others said that the act was prohibited in the UFC, simply referring to such as intentional eye-gouging. Several other fighters obviously suffered the same while going against Jones such as Lyoto Machida, Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson, Alexander Gustafsson and Rashad Evans.

In an MMA Fighting report, Rutten, who is a former UFC heavyweight champion himself, did not dismiss Jones' acts as unintentional. He said that Jones is a dirty fighter, regardless of his skills and demeanor in the octagon. Jones was warned by referee Dan Miragliotta a couple of times about sticking his fingers in his opponent's eyes. He did not get any point deduction, being given the benefit of a doubt. Rutten said, "He knows exactly what he's doing."

Dana White, President of the UFC, did not comment whether or not Jones poked eyes intentionally but admitted that the light heavyweight champion must keep his hands closed to avoid any controversy. White said, "I mean, people are always going to go overboard with Jon Jones because they don't like him. Guys have got to start closing their hands, and if you're going to keep your hands open to block shots, which everybody does, you've got to keep your hands closer to your face, not extended in your opponent's face," writes MMA Junkie.