UFC Targeting Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson II For UFC 177 On August 30

After No. 4-ranked UFC light heavyweight Daniel Cormier beat No. 6-ranked Dan Henderson with a third round submission after a thoroughly one-sided display of all-around skill at last night’s (Sat., May 24, 2014) UFC 173 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, talk immediately shifted to “DC’s” next opponent for his perceived title shot.

And it looks like we might find out just what will happen at the end of the summer.

Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been rumored to rematch rival Alexander Gustafsson, who took Jones to the limit at last September’s UFC 165 classic, at UFC 177 on August 30.

UFC president Dana white confirmed that the company is targeting the bout at UFC 173’s post-fight press conference, offering the following when asked about the rumored bout:

“Gustafsson just signed a new deal and signed a bout agreement to fight Jon Jones in August. Now we’re working on Jones.”

So it sounds like the UFC’s most awaited bout will soon be a reality, with ‘The Mauler’ already having agreed to the fight. Jones absorbed little damage in his UFC 172 win over Glover Teixeira, so it’s reportedly on ‘Bones’ and his team to get the ball rolling with the Gustafsson rematch, a fight that Jones has been accused of ducking for some time now.

Cormier deserves his title shot just like Gustafsson does, so it’s an exciting time for the light heavyweight division. With Jones looking sharp but his competition rapidly improving, will the near future be the most trying of times for the UFC’s greatest champion?

Photo: Tommy Gilligan for USA TODAY Sports