UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will attempt the seventh consecutive defense of his belt when he takes on bruising No. 2 ranked contender Glover Teixeira in the main event of UFC 171.
MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani reported the news on Wednesday’s edition of UFC Tonight, citing UFC President Dana White.
The announcement marks the third booking of Jones vs. Teixeira, as the match-up was initially slated to headline UFC 169, but was then rescheduled for UFC 170 due to scheduling conflicts. Jones (19-1) ultimately withdrew from UFC 170 due to lingering injuries.
Jones, 26, is currently the No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC and carries a near-perfect 13-1 record inside the Octagon, having lost only via disqualification in 2009. He is the owner of six post-fight bonuses, as well as the holder of the most consecutive light heavyweight title defenses in UFC history, and the longest win streak in the division’s history.
He’ll put it all on the line against Teixeira, 34, a Brazilian veteran riding a 20-fight win streak stemming back to 2005. Teixeira (22-2) holds a flawless record through five UFC appearances, four of which ended outside the judges’ hands.
UFC 171 is scheduled to take place March 15, 2014 at The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tickets go on sale Jan. 17.