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Jones: Money & honour the reasons I won't fight Silva

ESPN staff
July 11, 2012
Jon Jones holds sheer respect for Anderson Silva © Getty Images
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Jon Jones has explained the reason why he will not fight Anderson Silva, labelling it a "lose-lose" situation.

Jones has been linked to a super-fight with Silva, after the latter beat Chael Sonnen at UFC 148 on Saturday. Still unbeaten at middleweight, Silva has built an invincible aura at 185lbs and it is widely believed that light-heavyweight champion Jones might be the only man who could beat him.

President Dana White has not ruled out the possibility of the duo squaring off, but both fighters appear convinced they will not share the same Octagon. Silva said after the Sonnen win that he will not fight Jones, and the American explained on Tuesday why he agrees.

"It's not that he won't fight me or I won't fight him," Jones said on ESPN LA AM 710.

"To be dead honest, it's that we both have a lot to lose and we both respect each other a lot and we both are striving for personal greatness. I don't want to crack on his greatness and I don't want him cracking on my greatness.

"We're in completely different weight classes. We both have sponsor deals and things that are really important to us and a big part of that sponsorship package is being a winner - being a champion. Having us fight each other means one of our championships goes away.

"I respect Anderson Silva so much that I don't want to be the guy to beat him. I don't want to lose to him either. It's a lose-lose situation for me."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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