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The persistent rumor could finally become reality provided Anderson Silva beats Chris Weidman in their rematch later this month and Roy Jones prevails in a tune-up boxing match with little-known Frenchman Zine Eddine Bamakhlouf.
A proposed Silva-Jones bout has long been nothing more than babble, especially since boxing's former pound-for-pound king has flirted with the idea of boxing against MMA stars such as Nick Diaz and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson but those fights also never materialized. Seems like every time you turned around some MMA fighter wanted to fight Roy Jones - no one more than Silva, who has incessantly nagged Dana White about the dream matchup for years. The UFC president never gave his blessing, fearing such a fight could be perceived as a money-grabbing spectacle and perhaps long-term hurt the UFC's precious image as a sport.
Last week, however, the UFC mastermind indicated he's no longer strongly opposed to the concept of Jones and Silva fighting and (rather curiously) that Roy Jones will attend the Anderson Silva-Chris Weidman sequel.
"I'm in this position where I feel like Roy wants to fight (Silva) and (Silva) wants to fight Roy. I feel like I'm in this position to try and make both of these guys happy, but it drives me crazy," White said during an interview on Fox Sports Live. "I would love for Roy Jones Junior to focus on his next opponent, and Anderson focus on his, and we'll talk about all this stuff. I know Roy's coming to the fight … we'll see what happens."
Not only did the UFC general publicly deliver his strongest comments yet on the potential superfight, but Roy Jones also made tantalizing comments last week and sounded like a man who expects the fight to happen.
"I want to be ready for Anderson Silva in case he beats (Chris) Weidman," Jones, who last fought roughly 18 months ago, told ESPN.com's Dan Rafael to explain the motivation behind him fighting in Moscow on Dec. 21. "Silva has made it clear that if he wins he wants me next; I'm here for him. That's a fight that intrigues a lot of people. But I can't fight Anderson Silva coming off such a long lay-off so I needed to get a fight first. If it wasn't for Anderson Silva calling me out I wouldn't be fighting this fight."
Jones, you might remember, sat cageside with Dana White at UFC 162 and was shocked as everyone to see Anderson Silva get knocked out that day. He reportedly comforted the fallen legend backstage afterward.
A proposed Silva-Jones bout has long been nothing more than babble, especially since boxing's former pound-for-pound king has flirted with the idea of boxing against MMA stars such as Nick Diaz and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson but those fights also never materialized. Seems like every time you turned around some MMA fighter wanted to fight Roy Jones - no one more than Silva, who has incessantly nagged Dana White about the dream matchup for years. The UFC president never gave his blessing, fearing such a fight could be perceived as a money-grabbing spectacle and perhaps long-term hurt the UFC's precious image as a sport.
Last week, however, the UFC mastermind indicated he's no longer strongly opposed to the concept of Jones and Silva fighting and (rather curiously) that Roy Jones will attend the Anderson Silva-Chris Weidman sequel.
"I'm in this position where I feel like Roy wants to fight (Silva) and (Silva) wants to fight Roy. I feel like I'm in this position to try and make both of these guys happy, but it drives me crazy," White said during an interview on Fox Sports Live. "I would love for Roy Jones Junior to focus on his next opponent, and Anderson focus on his, and we'll talk about all this stuff. I know Roy's coming to the fight … we'll see what happens."
Not only did the UFC general publicly deliver his strongest comments yet on the potential superfight, but Roy Jones also made tantalizing comments last week and sounded like a man who expects the fight to happen.
"I want to be ready for Anderson Silva in case he beats (Chris) Weidman," Jones, who last fought roughly 18 months ago, told ESPN.com's Dan Rafael to explain the motivation behind him fighting in Moscow on Dec. 21. "Silva has made it clear that if he wins he wants me next; I'm here for him. That's a fight that intrigues a lot of people. But I can't fight Anderson Silva coming off such a long lay-off so I needed to get a fight first. If it wasn't for Anderson Silva calling me out I wouldn't be fighting this fight."
Jones, you might remember, sat cageside with Dana White at UFC 162 and was shocked as everyone to see Anderson Silva get knocked out that day. He reportedly comforted the fallen legend backstage afterward.