Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira Official For UFC 170 On February 22

UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones has his next fight officially booked. Although it was previously thought that “Bones” would face Glover Teixeira in the main event of UFC 169, plans have been changed slightly.

Jones and Teixeira will throw down in the headlining bout of UFC 170 on February 22 from Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The announcement was revealed late Wednesday night on “UFC Tonight.”

Many thought that Jones’ last effort, a come-from-behind unanimous decision over Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson at UFC 165, would inevitably lead to an immediate rematch. After all, no one had damaged Jones the way Gustafsson did. It was a war that many deem the finest mixed martial arts bout ever fought.

However, after Jones re-watched the bout several times, he decided that it was time to move on and give the surging Teixeira a shot at the title.

It’s tough to argue there because the Chuck Liddell-trained Teixeira has been mowing down foes with relentless efficiency as of late. He was most recently seen knocking out Ryan “Darth” Bader in the main event of September’s UFC Fight Night 28. The win pushed his UFC record to a spotless 5-0, marking an incredible 20-fight win streak for the Brazilian brawler.

Meanwhile, in a bit of odd booking, Gustafsson is set to face off with undefeated striker Jimi Manuwa at the UFC’s March 8 London event. No one is giving Manuwa much of a chance, and the fight has been deemed more of an opportunity for Gustafsson to bide his time while waiting for his rematch with Jones.

But you can’t sleep of Manuwa. After all, no one gave “The Mauler” a serious chance to dethrone Jones, and we all saw what happened there.

Will Jones get past Teixeira with ease in Vegas? And if so, will he have an easier bout against Gustafsson the second time around?

Outer Photo: Tom Szczerbowski for USA TODAY Sports