Third Time’s A Charm: Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira Slated For UFC 171 in March
It’s been difficult to keep track of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ next move after his controversial victory over Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson at September’s UFC 165.
Gustafsson gave Jones a beating that no one else has even come close to duplicating. But when “Bones’” re-watched the fight, he decided that he clearly defeated Gustafsson and would be moving on to fight new number one contender Glover Teixeira rather than granting Gustafsson an immediate rematch.
It was a decision that Dana White applauded as “bad ass.” Jones vs. Teixeira was originally slated for the UFC’s traditional Super Bowl Weekend show, UFC 169 on February 1, but Jones stated that he needed more time.
The fight was then pushed back to UFC 170 in late February. News soon followed that Jones was still healing from a left foot injury suffered against “The Mauler,“ and would be taking the rest of the year off.
Thankfully, it appears that a concrete date for the fight has actually been set. Speaking on last night’s edition of “UFC Tonight,” Ariel Helwani detailed the formal plans:
“Well guys, let’s try this one more time. According to UFC president Dana White, Jon Jones will defend his light heavyweight championship against Glover Teixeira on March 15 in Dallas, Texas, at the American Airlines Center.”
It’s good to know a set date for the Jones’ anticipated return to the Octagon, but it’s hard to believe that the announcement is gospel right now. We’ve seen the bout crumble quickly twice before, so there’s no surprise that fans will believe the booking when they see it.
But the fight will go down sometime early next year, that much is for certain. Teixeira has been on a rampage since making his UFC debut in May 2012, winning five straight fights in devastating fashion. The Chuck Liddell-trained product was last seen knocking out Ryan “Darth” Bader in the main event of UFC Fight Night 28 in early September.
Jones needs no backstory as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in all of mixed martial arts. However, his aura of invincibility took a significant hit when Gustafsson proved that a talented fighter of similar height and reach could take him into untested waters.
Many think that Jones is avoiding a rematch with Gustafsson who is set to face off with undefeated prospect Jimi Manuwa in London on March 8. The stage is set for a rematch between the two enemies, but Teixeira (and to a lesser extent, Manuwa) could throw a big wrench in the UFC’s plans by defeating their favored counterparts.
Do you give Teixeira any chance against “Bones” in Texas? Or will the champ simply ride to another impressive win on the way to his inevitable showdown with “The Mauler?”
Photo Credit: Tom Szczerbowski for USA TODAY Sports
