MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. – Jon Bones Jones will make his return to the octagon tonight in Vegas as he headlines UFC 197 vs Ovince St. Preux.
Like they have had too a lot as of late, the UFC had to change this main event from it’s original matchup of Jones vs Cormier for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title. The pairing met previously at UFC 182 in January 2015 with Jones defending his title via unanimous decision. Subsequent to that victory, Jones was stripped of the title and suspended indefinitely from the UFC in connection with a hit-and-run incident that he was involved in. Cormier replaced him and went on to defeat Anthony Johnson at UFC 187 to win the vacant title. However, on April 1, it was announced that Cormier injured his foot and was out of the planned fight.
Jones cannot seem to stay out of trouble with the law, between drug problems to car incidents; he cannot seem to keep his nose clean. IN fact, this fight almost didn’t happen after his latest run in with the law.
In March 29, Jones was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico on a charge of violating his probation related to his hit-and-run incident in 2015. The arrest took place five days after Jones was cited on multiple traffic charges, including drag racing, exhibition driving, weaving, failing to properly display his license plate and modifying his exhaust pipe. He agreed to plea deal and was released on March 31.
When Jones has his head on straight and remains focused, he is the greatest athlete in the history of MMA. His list of victories reads like a who’s who of MMA. His triumphs include Stephan Bonner, Brandon Vera, Ryan Bader, Shogun Rua, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira and Daniel Cormier.
He is one of the most dominant athletes of our time. But hasn’t fought in over a year, 16 months to be exact and Ovince St. Preux may be catching him at the right time if Jones is rusty. Saint Preux is currently #6 in official UFC light heavyweight rankings. He holds victories over Shogun Rua and Rafael Cavalcante, but little anyone else of name value. St. Preux is a heavy underdog, and for good reason. Look for Jones to make a successful return to the ring.
Also on the card A UFC Flyweight Championship bout between current champion Demetrious Johnson and 2008 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling Henry Cejudo is expected to co-headline the event. I see this one being a five round war, but as he usually does, Johnson to pull off the victory with a decision.
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