Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira headlines UFC 171 in Dallas
Jon Jones‘ next title defense will take place in Big D, as “Bones†meets Brazilian slugger Glover Teixeira in the main event of UFC 171.
The promotion’s plans were revealed on Wednesday’s new edition of “UFC Tonight.â€
In November, UFC President Dana White announced that UFC 171 would take place on March 15 at Dallas’ American Airlines Center. However, a headlining bout was not revealed until now.
UFC 171 marks the third card that was at one time or another expected to feature Jones (19-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) vs. Teixiera (22-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC), as UFC officials briefly linked the fight to February’s UFC 169 event before shifting it to UFC 170, later in the month. However, champ Jones was still on the mend from a “Fight of the Year†candidate win over Alexander Gustafsson, and the bout will now take place at UFC 171.
Jones currently boasts an incredible 10-fight win streak that includes victories over the likes of Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Quinton “Rampage†Jackson and Mauricio “Shogun†Rua. Most recently, he defeated a game Alexander Gustafsson in a “Fight of the Year†candidate and instant classic. Following the fight, UFC President Dana White hinted that a rematch seemed the most likely scenario but ultimately backed off that decision in favor of perhaps setting up an even more in-demand matchup later in the young guns’ careers.
At just 26 years old, “Bones†is already the most dominant light heavyweight champion in UFC history, defending his belt six consecutive times, more than UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz’s previous record of five defenses.
Meanwhile, Teixeira was named the No. 1 contender following first-round TKO over Ryan Bader in September. The Brazilian slugger boasts a 20-fight win streak of his own and has downed Ryan Bader, James Te Huna, Jackson, Fabio Maldonado and Kyle Kingsbury in his five UFC appearances to date. Among his 22 career wins are 13 knockouts and six submission, rendering him a danger to end the fight both on the feet and the floor.
