• UFC 140

Jon Jones to fight Machida at UFC 140 - White

ESPN staff
October 6, 2011
Jon Jones defeated Rampage Jackson in his last outing at UFC 135, but now faces Lyoto Machida © Getty Images
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UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Jon Jones' next light-heavyweight title defence will be against Lyoto Machida, not Rashad Evans, at UFC 140 in December.

Premature reports on Wednesday evening had suggested Jones would meet Evans as the December 10 headliner, but Evans requires more time to recover from a hand injury. As a result, Machida steps in.

White tweeted on Thursday: "Alright Toronto!!! Dec 10th UFC 140 tickets go on sale next weekend and your main event is Bones Jones vs Machida!!!"

Machida represents the third former champion that Jones will fight this year, after he stopped Mauricio Shogun Rua in the third round before becoming the first man in the UFC to stop Rampage Jackson at UFC 135.

"I'm excited for the fight," Jones told ESPN.com. "To beat three UFC champions in the same year would be an absolute blessing in so many ways.

"I'm not even sure it's been done before. That would be cool. I'm already looking forward to that."

Ironically, Machida won the title against the man he is replacing in Toronto, Rashad Evans. He also lost the belt to the man Jones beat to become champion, Shogun Rua.

"Outside of all my past achievements, I have to look at Lyoto as an absolute individual. I am aware that I just beat the two people who beat him," Jones added.

"But styles make fights and I have to respect Lyoto. He went on a long tear being undefeated; he's a tough guy."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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