Last night it was announced that UFC 197 on April 23rd will be headlined by the eagerly awaited return of Jon Jones in a light-heavyweight title rematch with current champion Daniel Cormier, though it won’t be the only belt on the line in Las Vegas.
Alongside Cormier Vs Jones II in the co-main event spot will be a flyweight encounter featuring reigning champion Demetrious Johnson against Henry Cejudo.
Jones and Cormier first fought at UFC 182 in January of last year after a heated build-up that had saw the two engage in a brawl at a press conference, culminating in Jones successfully defending his title with a unanimous decision victory.
However, just months later Jones would be stripped of his title and suspended by the UFC after being charged over a hit-and-run incident in New Mexico and Cormier would go on to claim the vacant title with a third round submission victory over Anthony Johnson.
Jones has since avoided spending time behind bars after pleading guilty to the hit and run offense and has also had his UFC suspension lifted.
‘Bones’ has been preparing for his comeback for several months already, focusing on a strength program that’s seem him pack on muscle in the weights room as he looked to turn his life around and return to the Octagon bigger and better than ever.
In the mean time Cormier has gone on to successfully defend his belt against Alexander Gustafsson via a narrow split decision verdict at UFC 192 in October and after several months off he’ll be looking to come back rejuvenated and produce an upset win over his rival in the Octagon.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event Demetrious Johnson will be aiming for his eighth successful title at flyweight in just over two years when he faces former olympic gold medal freestyle wrestler Henry Cejudo.
Cejudo is an extremely talented fighter, though this opportunity is perhaps coming his way a little earlier than you’d ideally like. However, he does wield a perfect 10-0 career record and comes into this fight with four wins so far in the UFC.
