When the UFC announced that Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen would clash shortly after coaching opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter, the MMA world was spun into a frenzy. The fight was immediately announced for April 27 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, although it was unclear as to which event the bout would headline.
According to a report from MMAJunkie.com, UFC 159 will serve as the home for one of the most hotly anticipated bouts in light heavyweight history.
This announcement comes exactly two weeks before the January 22 debut of The Ultimate Fighter, where Jones and Sonnen serve as coaches for the long-running program’s 17th season.
The history books need to be ready for this event, as Jones has the ability to tie the all-time record for consecutive light heavyweight title defenses and unofficially declare himself the greatest 205-pound fighter in MMA history.
Jones won his belt from Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in early 2011 and has gone on to defend the belt against world champions Rampage Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans and, most recently, Vitor Belfort back at UFC 152.
Meanwhile, this fight marks the first bout at light heavyweight for Sonnen in years. “The American Gangster” had previously gained fame as a middleweight when he upset undefeated WEC champion Paulo Filho and later gave UFC champion Anderson Silva all that he could handle back at UFC 117.
Tune in to The Ultimate Fighter 17 every Tuesday night on FX. The program airs 9pm EST.
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