For Dana to say this he must know something that is not yet public about Jon Jones’ situation. If Jon Jones is to receive the 6-month suspension instead of the 2-year suspension that would still leave him out of the mix until early 2017.
The winner of that fight earning the next title opportunity would mean there wouldn’t be another light heavyweight title fight until next spring/summer at the earliest.
That is unless Dana White knows something we don’t and Jon Jones isn’t even going to get a 6-month suspension.
Assuming Jon Jones is returning, the light heavyweight division really is a 3 fighter race. If you take a look at any of the other top ranked guys, they all have losses which keep them out of the title picture. Gustaffson has lost to Jones, Cormier and Johnson, so he’s out.
Ryan Bader lost to Rumble earlier this year, OSP lost to Jones, Rua lost to OSP and of course Teixeira just got KO’ed by Johnson. In the light heavyweight division its just Cormier, Johnson and Jones for at least the next year.
Jon Jones vs. Anthony Johnson was originally scheduled to be the main event of UFC 187, but Jones ended up being pulled from the event due to his hit-and-run incident.
It’s no secret why the UFC might be quick to reschedule that bout, as Jones and Johnson are two of the most exciting fighters currently active.
Unfortunately we won’t know anything more about what will happen with this fight until all of us know what Dana White seems to already know regarding Jon Jones’ upcoming USADA hearing.
