Manager: Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira Could Headline UFC 170
Jon ‘Bones’ Jones made a successful title defence against Alexander Gustafsson when the two collided at UFC 165, scoring a decision victory after a gruelling five round battle. The two super stars put on as fight of the year candidate, leaving both warriors hospitalized in ‘Rocky vs. Apollo’ style.
The wake of the fight was busy with talk of a rematch, with many fans believing that Gus was the rightful winner. Dana White seemed interested in the bout, but Jones himself certainly didn’t. Gustafsson made Jones look very human, more so than any other has come close to doing.
Focus then shifted to Glover Teixeira, as he was announced as the next challenger to Jones’ Championship. The two were tentatively targeted to scrap at UFC 169 in New Jersey, but Jones came out and said he wouldn’t be able to make it.
Teixeira has won an incredible 20 fights on the bounce, most recently TKOing Ryan Bader in one round and securing himself the title shot of which we now speak. Jones’ Manager Malki Kawa recently said that ‘Bones’ ‘hopes to be back at the end of February/early March 2014.’
The recent schedule announcement shows that UFC 170 is set to go down on February 22nd, and is yet to be headlined by anyone. The heavy-handed Brazilian would love to finish what Gus started, but is he just too big and slow for the lanky 205lb. boss?
They say size isn’t everything, but when your size means you are too slow to catch your opponent; it might as well be. Teddy Atlas always says:’ it’s no good having a bomb if you don’t have the missile to get it there’.
Could this be the sole reason that Jones did not want any part of a Gustafsson rematch? Jones said that he watched the first fight ’10 times in a row’ and that it was clear that he outworked Gus. Something tells me it isn’t that simple, and that being exposed, to a degree, has dented young Jones’ ego.
A lot of people overlook how young Jones is while discussing his arrogant demeanour, or cocky outlook. The fact is that his age plays a role in everything, and I genuinely think that he would lose in a rematch with Gus right now. Teixeira is a tune up fight for the champ, and he needs it right now.
Gustafsson was scheduled to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in London next March, in a fight that had absolutely no effect on the rankings. Now that ‘Little Nog‘ has pulled out of the fight, Gus is left with (currently) no opponent for his comeback.
Jones and Teixeira will happen in the first quarter of 2014 (hopefully) and soon after Gustafsson will (hopefully) receive his much deserved second title shot. I just hope that we get to see Gus vs. Jones II. For the moment, let’s speculate on who ‘The Mauler’ will face next….a rematch with Phil Davis?
