LAS VEGAS — North America’s gambling capitol has won the Jon Jones-Alexander Gustafsson rematch sweepstakes.
Las Vegas, Toronto, and Stockholm were all under consideration to host the Sept. 27 UFC light heavyweight title fight. On Friday, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta announced on a special edition of UFC Tonight the bout would take place in the UFC’s hometown.
Toronto was the site of the first bout between the two, at UFC 165 last September. In that fight, Gustafsson pushed Jones like he’s never been pushed before Jones rallied in the championship rounds to take a unanimous decision and successfully defend his title.
Stockholm is Gustafsson’s home base. He’s sold out events in the city before and it was believed the Jones rematch could fill a soccer stadium. But Jones made it clear he had no intention of giving the challenger home-court advantage, so to speak.
So the bout will be held in Las Vegas, home of many of the biggest fights in UFC history. Fertitta indicated a decision has not yet been made as to whether the event will be held at Mandalay Bay or the MGM Grand.