I actually understand Machida and Shogun's rationale. If they go in there and lose to Jones for a 2nd time in unimpressive fashion, they'll never get another crack at the championship again while Jones remains in the division. Both of those guys need to be fully healthy, in-shape, and confident when they fight Jones again.
Guys like Chael and Vitor have absolutely nothing to lose by stepping in there with Jones, while Shogun and Machida have everything to lose. Unless the pay was monstrous (and we've seen in the past Dana refusing to pay "Anderson Silva money" to Machida for taking a fight on short notice), it made zero sense for either man to take that fight .
Guys like Chael and Vitor have absolutely nothing to lose by stepping in there with Jones, while Shogun and Machida have everything to lose. Unless the pay was monstrous (and we've seen in the past Dana refusing to pay "Anderson Silva money" to Machida for taking a fight on short notice), it made zero sense for either man to take that fight .