LAS VEGAS – As far as fight bookings go, UFC 128’s upcoming headliner between champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and replacement fighter Jon Jones didn’t exactly follow a traditional path.
After learning original opponent Rashad Evans is out six to eight weeks with a strained ligament in his knee, UFC president Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva sprung to action.
And as White told MMAjunkie.com, Rua agreed to the proposed fight right before Jones’ UFC 126 co-main-event bout with Ryan Bader. Ten minutes later, after a second-round submission victory, Jones also jumped on board.