Former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Faced Off Against Alexander Gustafsson For The First Time Since Their Rematch Was Announced… It Got Very Tense…
Jon Jones is finally set to make his comeback from suspension. He will fight Swedish fan-favourite Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232 on December 29 in Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena, in a rematch of their previous fight way back in 2013.
The pair fought back at UFC 165, in what was the first proper test of Jones’s career. Many fans believe that ‘The Mauler’ actually won the fight – but perhaps more impressively, Jones didn’t even train properly when he was ‘preparing’ for their showdown.
These two men don’t like each other. The tension between the two of them was obvious as they faced off for the first time since the fight was announced. Watch the footage below where Jones shoves Gustafsson out of nowhere. This one is going to be a phenomenal fight.
After exchanging a few words about their previous fight – it’s crazy that it’s five years ago now – the pair finally faced off. It was intense without any major drama. Then they were instructed to face the crowd. ‘Bones’ decided to step across Gustafsson. Obviously, the big Swede wasn’t going to take that, so he stepped in front of Jones.
Then the former 3-time light-heavyweight champion shoved ‘The Mauler’ forcing an immediate intervention from the pair’s teams and Dana White. It wasn’t a very classy move by Jones, who just made himself more unlikeable. The pair will compete for the official 205lb title, as current champion Daniel Cormier is set to be stripped before they fight.
Jon Jones (left) and Alexander Gustafsson (right) during their highly entertaining UFC 165 clash. Many fans still believe the Swede did enough to win that night in Toronto. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski, USA TODAY Sports.
Trilogy?
Needless to say, Jones was asked about a potential trilogy fight with Daniel Cormier if he were to win the title again. The Jackson-Wink fighter isn’t interested in another fight at 205, but would definitely take him on at heavyweight. He explained:
“Defend the belt that was never his? I don’t understand how that works. If Daniel Cormier wants to come back down to light heavyweight he’ll challenge one of the contenders for my belt. I would fight DC at heavyweight but I feel like I have nothing to prove. I’ve beat him twice. I feel like fighting him at heavyweight is putting all the cards in his favor, I have nothing to prove against Daniel Cormier.
“I always say a lot of this fighting is not personal to me, my goals are just to be great, it is not about these individuals rivals. So, me challenging Daniel Cormier would make it a personal thing. If he had beat me I could see me challenging. I have done enough to that guy and I’ll let him breath easy and enjoy his stuff.”
Jon Jones fights Daniel Cormier. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports.
But First…
It would be incredibly naive of Jones to look past Gustafsson though. He’s an incredibly dangerous opponent, and on his day could have the level to beat anybody in the division. The Swedish fighter has had a very frustrating time with injuries over the past number of year – he’s actually been out of action longer than Jones.
Both men need to take each other seriously. A win will have massive ramifications for both men. For Jones, it’s the chance to step towards redemption and the heavyweight crown. For Gustafsson, it’s the opportunity to become the first man to properly beat Jon Jones (don’t mention Matt Hammill.)
