• UFC 145

Hendo forced to wait as Jones v Rashad is made official

ESPN staff
February 7, 2012
Jon Jones v Rashad Evans is on for April 21 at UFC 145 © Getty Images
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Any remaining question marks over the next challenger to Jon Jones' light-heavyweight crown have been answered after Rashad Evans was officially confirmed for a UFC 145 battle in April.

Evans was widely recognised to have booked his title shot by defeating Phil Davis via unanimous decision at UFC on Fox 2. That victory rubber-stamped his status as No. 1 contender.

However, the form of Dan Henderson has acted to muddy the waters. Henderson arrived in the UFC off the back of a knockout win over Fedor Emelianenko, and he followed that up with a Fight of the Year triumph over Mauricio Shogun Rua.

Henderson, who is the wrong side of 40, is now determined to make his next challenge Jon Jones, even at the cost of turning down other fights. He was offered Antonio Rogerio Nogueira but politely declined, leaving president Dana White with a high profile - yet inactive - commodity.

There was a suggestion Henderson could fight Jones first, capitalising on his momentum in the sport, with Evans to follow - given that his ill-feelings towards the champion are not going to disappear in the near future.

However, UFC 145 is now official, with Jones and Evans as headliners. The bout will take place in Atlanta on April 21.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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