Jon Jones to Defend Title Against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165

UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones (18-1) now has an opponent to defend his title against as rising UFC star, Alexander Gustafsson (15-1) has apparently been scheduled to face Jones.

If Jones wins this bout, he will break Tito Ortiz’s record for the most consecutive title defenses in UFC light-heavyweight history which now stands at five. The confirmation came with a tweet from Ariel Helwani who asked White during UFC 161’s media day if the bout had been finalized.

The long rumored bout has now come to fruition and has finally found a date after weeks of challenges and hints from both fighters. That date is September 21st at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This title defense comes almost one year to the day of the anniversary of Jones last defending his title in the same arena against Vitor Belfort at UFC 152.

Also, this will be Jones’ third time defending his title in this arena as he also defeated Lyoto Machida back at UFC 140 in 2011 at the Air Canada Centre.

Jones is coming off of a one-sided title defense against Chael Sonnen back at UFC 159. Jones won the bout via first round TKO but sustained a gruesome toe injury that sidelined him temporarily.

For Gustafsson, a fantastic 7-1 record including six straight wins has led him to this title shot, even though in early April he as forced to withdraw from a bout with Gegard Mousasi due to a cut just above his eye in a very controversial move by the Swedish Athletic commission.

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@AdamConklinMMA