Yahoo Sports UFC 197: Cormier vs. Jones 2 Official with Addition of Flyweight Championship
Earlier this week, UFC president Dana White confirmed that light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and stripped titleholder Jon Jones were being targeted for a fight in April. Now we have a date and a venue.
Cormier vs. Jones 2 will headline UFC 197 on April 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. UFC officials announced the bout and the event during Saturday night's telecast of UFC Fight Night 82: Hendricks vs. Thompson on FOX Sports 1.
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“This rematch was always going to happen,” Cormier told UFC.com on Saturday. “(Jones) has been out apologizing and lifting weights since the last fight, while I’ve been improving and beating the best guys in the world. This rematch with Jon Jones is a new chapter, and it will be a whole different story.”
The UFC wasn't done with the headliner. In addition to the light heavyweight championship main event, the UFC 197 co-main event will also feature a title fight. UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will make the latest defense of his belt when he faces Olympic Gold Medal wrestler Henry Cejudo.
Johnson has quietly become one of the most dominant champions in UFC history. He is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak that includes seven consecutive title defenses.
Cejudo had a rough start to his UFC tenure, missing weight for his first fight, but has now won four bouts in the Octagon, including the last three at flyweight. He is currently 10-0 as a professional.
“I feel very proud. I want to thank the UFC for the opportunity to fight for the world title,” Cejudo told UFC.com. “It's my moment, it's time, there will be new champion. Get ready. I'm going to win this for the U.S. and for ‘la raza latina,’ my beautiful and beloved Mexico. The Aztec warrior is coming. The messenger will fight on April 23 and it comes up as an Aztec warrior ”
Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com's rumors section for more UFC 197 fights and other rumored events.
