While Swede Alexander Gustafsson’s damage inflicted on Jon Jones pushed back the UFC’s plan to get the champion on the UFC 169 then 170 card, UFC Tonight has revealed that light heavyweight will now headline the UFC 171 card.
Jones will be meeting Glover Teixeira on March 15 at the Dallas American Airlines Center. While most fans are clamouring for a rematch of ‘Bones’ and ‘The Mauler’, the Brazilian has gotten the nod as Jones requested another bout next.
Just a week before on March 8, Alexander Gustafsson will face his first opponent since the classic battle with Jones in Toronto as he faces the UK’s Jimi Manuwa. Manuwa is an up-and-coming star in Europe that has racked up a 14 wins and 0 losses, including 3 stoppages.
If both Jones and Gustafsson win their bouts in March, the pressure will be on to make the most anticipated rematch the UFC has to offer. While Jones has already expressed ideas of chasing a heavyweight belt, Gustafsson has been vocal about hunting down the light heavyweight belt.
