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Sonnen: Big gap between Jon Jones & Anderson Silva

Chael Sonnen has lost to Anderson Silva twice © Getty Images

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Chael Sonnen has highlighted the almighty task facing him at UFC 159, insisting light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones is "considerably better" than Anderson Silva.

Silva is widely regarded as the greatest fighter on the planet, having set all manner of records as the promotion's middleweight champion, beating several 205-pounders along the way. He holds the most wins and title defences during a UFC career spanning seven years.

The Brazilian is frequently linked to a superfight with Jones, who looks equally as untouchable at light-heavyweight having beaten former champions in Mauricio Shogun Rua, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Rampage Jackson and Vitor Belfort.

However, Sonnen does not think it would be a wise move for Silva. The American has twice fought Silva, dominating their first bout before losing to a last-gasp submission, and then suffering a TKO stoppage in their second meeting. He is convinced the more versatile Jones has even more weapons to hurt opponents.

"I think there's a big gap between them," Sonnen said on FOX Sports Radio. "I think Jon Jones is considerably better, I think he's the best talent our sport has ever seen.

"Jon comes out there with something new every time. Some trick that it appears he's making up. Stuff I've never seen."

Given his two defeats to Silva, Sonnen's claim that Jones is even better raises questions over how he believes he can beat Jones on April 27. For once, even Sonnen admits he may not have enough.

"I am 100 per cent offence and from the second the referee says, 'Go,' I will come across and I will bring the fight to him," Sonnen said. "I may go down, he's a good fighter I may go down, but I promise you I will go like a gangster and I will be firing the entire time."

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