Jon Jones is apparently close to making his return to action to defend his light heavyweight title for the first time, as he may be penciled in to battle Quinton Jackson at the upcoming UFC 135 event, which is currently rumored for Sept. 24 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
A source close to one of the fight camps alerted MMAmania.com to the news earlier today, but stressed that obstacles exist. Jones, who is still resting a hand injury, must first be cleared by his physician before getting the green light to compete.
The same goes for "Rampage," who was recently medically suspended until June 28 but could stretch as far as Nov. 25 unless he gets clearance from an orthopedic doctor.
At the UFC 130 post-fight press conference, however, Jackson clearly stated that he is more than ready to get inside the Octagon and sling some heavy leather to "get his world title back."
Jackson earned his shot at the light heavyweight crown by beating the brakes off Matt Hamill just this past weekend at the UFC 130 event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Rampage" battered and bruised "The Hammer," out-striking him by a margin of 61-34 and stuffing all 17 of the NCAA wrestler's takedown attempts.
He'll need every bit of that grappling prowess in a fight against "Bones."
Jones hasn't been in the cage since obliterating Mauricio Rua to win the title at UFC 128 back on March 19 in New Jersey. The lanky and unorthodox New Yorker has blown through each and every one of his Octagon opponents, amassing a 7-1 record in his time with the UFC.
Even that one loss, a complete drubbing of the previously mentioned Hamill that ended in a disqualification due to illegal elbows, is considered a win.
Rashad Evans may not be happy that his current nemesis, Jones, will first defend his title against his former nemesis, Jackson, but the calendar's now line-up that if "Suga" defeats Phil Davis on Aug. 6 at UFC 133, he just may be cageside in "The Mile-High City" to challenge the winner.
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