[NothingTrivial]

Which other fighters? There is only one fighter in the top 10 that would deserve it that didn't turn it down and that is Gustafsson. Machida turned it down, Rua turned it down, Evans hasn't had a fight since Jones...Lawal, Jimmo, Franklin, Lil Nog and Phil Davis round out the top 10-11. I think its a smart business decision to not throw Gustafsson in there, as you can give him the win over Rua and possible one more big fight and really hype him as a legit contender. Given the choice of Sonnen-Belfort, I would take belfort as he is kind of in limbo being behind at least weidman/belcher and the winner of stann-bisping at 185 and just won a fight against a 211 lb Anthony Johnson who moved to 205. Sonnen is a big strong guy who relentlessly wrestle's guys...Jones is a bigger, stronger guy with strong wrestling and throws as well as a unique bjj game. Sonnen stands no chance at all, but with a win over Griffin and possibly one other wrestling inept 205'er will be promoted as a legit contender. If almost anyone besides Belfort got this shot, the promotion would have been shooting itself in the foot for matchup's down the road...especially in the ever thinning 205 division.