UFC
NFL's Arthur Jones "wouldn't mind seeing" brother, UFC Champ Jon, against Anderson Silva
May 16, 2012 - 8:30:51 PM NFL's Arthur Jones "wouldn't mind seeing" brother, UFC Champ Jon, against Anderson Silva

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones isn't the only high level athlete in his family. His younger brother Chandler was just drafted in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, and his older brother Arthur is already in the NFL, a defensive end for the Baltimore Ravens.

Arthur featured in the UFC's Primetime series for the UFC 145 event, which saw the Champ take on former friend-turned-rival Rashad Evans in Atlanta. On Tuesday, the elder Jones decided to take in a UFC event not involving his brother, as he trekked to the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. for UFC on Fuel 3.

While there, he spoked with CSN Washington regarding his Champion brother and his upcoming bout with Dan Henderson.

"It's a major match-up, you know, Hendo is a guy you can't really sleep on, he's old but he's very explosive and he has knockout power so Jon just has to stick to the gameplan and everything's going to be ok," Arthur commented. "Youth and his ability to be creative [are in Jon's favor]. Jon is a hard guy to study for a fight and I think just his mindset and how he moves is going to be tough for him [Hendo]."

One other fight on his mind is one between Jones and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. While Jon has stated in the past that it's not a fight he's likely to want, Arthur says it's one he'd enjoy seeing.

"They're great friends and they have mutual respect," Arthur said, while saying the fight wouldn't actually happen. "I know Jon doesn't want to hurt their friendship, you know, like how he did with Rashad [Evans], so, you know, I don't think it will ever happen."

"I wouldn't mind seeing it though."

Penick's Analysis: This Jones family is a very talented bunch. Jon's the highest profile member at the moment as the reigning UFC Champ, but Arthur and Chandler in the NFL is a big deal as well. Not too many families can claim multiple professional athletes at their respective levels. Arthur's training in the offseason now consists of working with his younger brother in MMA training, and he's clearly a fan of the sport in general as well.

[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]