Jon Jones Will Return To The Octagon At UFC 232 In Las Vegas

Five years after one of the greatest bouts in UFC history, Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson will finally square off in a highly-anticipated rematch at UFC 232 in Las Vegas on December 29, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.

Gustafsson and Jones last fought to a controversial five-round decision back in 2013 at UFC 165. After the then-light heavyweight champion had a chance to look over the tape from the fight, Jones was more convinced than ever that he handily defeated Gustafsson, refusing to accept a rematch for the title and instead opting to face off against rising challenger Glover Teixeira.
In the years since their legendary showdown, Jones and Gustafsson have very much gone in opposite directions. After beating Jimi Manuwa, Gustafsson lost bouts to Anthony Johnson and eventual dual-champion Daniel Cormier. He’s since recovered with consecutive wins, including an insane knockout of Teixiera back in May.

Jones, on the other hand, has seen immense success when he’s been on the active fighting roster. Multiple drug test failures have derailed his career, but the former light heavyweight champion has come back just as strong each and every time. Arguably the most naturally gifted, yet troubled fighter in UFC history, Jones has only one loss to his name — a disqualification from 2009. For Jones, this is one final opportunity to get his career back on track.

With Cormier defending the heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis in November, the winner between Gustafsson and Jones is almost certainly next in line for a light heavyweight showdown.