WINNIPEG – The title fight between UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones (18-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) and Alexander Gustafsson (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will headline UFC 165 in Toronto.
UFC President Dana White today confirmed the plans at UFC 161's open workouts in Winnipeg.
Earlier today, as MMAjunkie.com (
UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com) White tweeted that the fight likely would take place in the fall, though he initially didn't get mention an event.
UFC 165 is slated for Sept. 21 at Toronto's Air Canada Centre. The main card, which will feature Jones vs. Gustafsson in the headliner, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.
Jones is ranked No. 1 and Gustafsson No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA light-heavyweight rankings.
After winning the title from Mauricio Rua at UFC 128, Jones has successfully defended the belt against Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort before making quick work of Chael Sonnen, who was stopped with elbows and punches in the first round of their April fight. Since a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill in 2009, Jones has won nine straight fights with eight stoppages. Only Evans went the distance.
Gustafsson, meanwhile, is on a six-fight win streak since his lone career loss, which came to now-teammate Phil Davis in 2010. He claimed No. 1 contender's status with recent decision victories over Thiago Silva and ex-champ Rua. Gustafsson was slated to fight Gegard Mousasi in April's UFC on FUEL TV 9 headliner but wasn't medically cleared due to facial a cut. The Jones title fight would be the Swede's first bout of 2013.
