LAS VEGAS — The UFC is intent on holding the rematch between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson on Aug. 30.
While Gustafsson has agreed to the date, signing both a new contract and a bout agreement, there’s still a significant obstacle in the way: The company is in the process of signing a the light heavyweight champion to a new contract, and Jones has yet to agree to the bout.
Asked Saturday night at the MGM Grand why the company would announce the Aug. 30 date when Jones has yet to sign on the dotted line, White referenced Jones’ contractual situation.
“We’re shooting for Aug. 30,” White said. “That’s the date we want for Jones-Gustafsson. We just signed Gustafsson to a new deal, and Jones will get a new deal too. We’re doing a new deal with him.”
While an ESPN.com report, citing Zuffa CEO Lorenzo Ferttita as the source, said the Aug. 30 date was being target for Las Vegas, White said the location has yet to be finalized and could still take place in Gustafsson’s homeland of Sweden.
“Anything is still possible,” White said. “We don’t have a deal done yet. We’ll see what happens.”