UFC 172 Main Event
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (19-1), will make his seventh defense of his title against Glover Teixeira (22-2) at UFC 172 on April 26th in Baltimore, Maryland.
Jones is coming off a controversial unanimous decision win over Alexander Gustaffson — where Jones was sent to the hospital following the fight — while Teixeira is undefeated in the UFC with five wins in a row inside the Octagon.
UFC President Dana White said Jones was offered an immediate rematch with Gustaffson, but Jones declined and wanted to face Teixeira instead.
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Jones was set to face Teixeira in February, but wanted more time to heal from his battle with Gustaffson. Meanwhile, Gustaffson has signed on to fight Jimi Manuwa in March at UFC Fight Night 37.
Tito Ortiz Arrested
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz (16-11), was arrested last Monday after crashing his 2012 Porsche Panamera with two passengers inside on the 405 freeway in Southern California.
The California Highway Patrol says the 38-year-old was placed under arrest, after determining Ortiz was above the legal limit of alcohol. Ortiz was booked and released from jail hours later on his own recognizance.
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Ortiz, who signed with Bellator, was set to face Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in November, but withdrew due to injury.
The former champ has won only once in nine tries, and was trying to revive his career with TNA Wrestling and Bellator.
Another Setback
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (19-1), will vacate his title after suffering a groin injury in training, and UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao (31-1-1), will now be recognized as the official champion.
Cruz, (who last fought over two years ago), was set to fight Barao at UFC 169 in February, after rehabilitating his torn ACL following two knee surgeries; will now be replaced by former WEC lightweight champion Urijah Faber (30-6).
Faber is looking to avenge a decision loss to Barao in July 2012, with Dana White saying Faber deserves the title shot, “Faber fought four times last year and won all four impressively. He’s pumped about it.”
The 28-year-old Cruz has been an analyst for the UFC on Fox, and it is unknown if he will attempt to comeback from yet another setback.
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The Year Ahead
We’re two weeks into the New Year. Have you broken your New Year’s Resolution yet? No, really. According to Statistic Brain, 30 percent of you have already failed at your resolution, and by the six month mark, over half will have broken their resolution(s).
I never break mine…I never make any resolutions.
Resolutions are meant to fail, instead you just need to have the resolve to accomplish your goals. There will be bumps and bruises along the road, but slow and steady wins the race!
Stay tuned for part 2 of our feature with Ronda Rousey’s training partner Marina Shafir later this week.
David Kano is lead writer for MMA Show News and co-host of The Hollywood MMA Show. You can follow him on Twitter @TheDKano
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