Earlier today, Dana White posted the following on his Twitter account:
“Alright Toronto!!! Dec 10th UFC 140 tix go on sale next weekend and ur main event is Bones Jones vs Machida!!!”
This is absolutely epic news for mixed martial arts fans. Why? On one side of the octagon you have Machida, a 3rd degree Shotokan Karate black belt that also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He’s won 17 out of 19 fights, is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, one of the very best in the division, and is coming off of an explosive flying bicycle kick to the jaw finishing knockout to Hall of Famer, Randy Couture.
Opposite of him is the youngest UFC champion ever, current Light Heavyweight King, Jon Jones. He’s a 6’4″, 24 year old Greco-Roman wrestler, who’s fluent in Muay Thai and “Gaidojutsu” (founded by his trainer, Greg Jackson). Jones also has the longest reach ever for a fighter inside the octagon with 84.5″ and a very impressive record of 14 wins and 1 loss (though that one loss was by a disqualification).
Machida has been champion once, defended it once, lost by a bad TKO, then lost a close decision, and finally had his comeback by one of the most impressive KO’s ever. He’s hungry and he wants his belt back. Jones is one of the most impressive fighters to step into the game in many years, beaming with athleticism and an ability to soak up knowledge thrown at him like a sponge. He worked hard for his belt, destroying the champion to win it, and defending it once since then. He definitely would like to hold on to it going into the new year.
I’m personally, absolutely stoked for this fight. The fact that we’re getting this amazing match on an already killer card is one thing…the fact that a mere 20 days later is UFC 141 and on it we see the return of Brock Lesnar, with him fighting Alistair Overeem…is another “wow” mega-fight. Watch these two pay per views, ladies and gentlemen. I have a great feeling that both will be pretty special.