After converting every naysayer into a believer in 2011, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones successfully defended his title against Rashad Evans at UFC 145. Now he is expected to defend the title against top contender Dan Henderson in a bout that would headline UFC 151 in early September.
Dana White confirmed that he is aiming for the title fight to take place sometime in early September 2012, hopefully on Labor Day Weekend. Although the company has yet to announce an event on September 1st, the timing would be perfect as it would be three weeks after UFC 150 and three weeks before UFC 152, which are both already confirmed.
Dan Henderson (29-8) has been sitting on the shelf since his epic five-round bout with Shogun Rua at UFC 139 in November 2011. While there is concern for ring-rust with some fans, Henderson has reassured the them through social media that he has been keeping his tools sharp by constantly training in the gym. Henderson is on a hot-streak winning seven of his last eight bouts containing victories over Shogun Rua, Fedor Emelianenko and Michael Bisping among others. None of them quite as talented as Jon Jones, though.
Jon Jones’ (16-1) lone defeat came through technicalities where Jones broke a rule and got disqualified even though he was dominating the entire bout. Besides that blemish, he has looked like an unstoppable force. After having a story tale year in 2011 where he not only defeated, but dominated Ryan Bader, Shogun Rua, Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida, Jon Jones started 2012 with a bang with a victory over Rashad Evans. While it was a fight that would not win any awards, it was a performance from Jones that reminded everybody why he was the undisputed champion of his weight class.
With Jon Jones the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Dan Henderson the last Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, the winner of this bout will walk away with proof that he is the baddest light heavyweight on the planet. If all goes as planned, the two will meet in the octagon on September 1st 2012 at UFC 151.
