Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title at UFC 178 against top contender Alexander Gustafsson, the promotion announced Thursday night.
The event is slated to take place Sept. 27 in Toronto.
This will be the second fight between Jones and Gustafsson. The two first met Sept. 21 at UFC 167. Jones won that fight, which also took place in Toronto, by a closely contested unanimous decision.
The announcement comes on the heels of reports that Jones was reluctant to sign the rematch agreement. But after a face-to-face with UFC president Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, the parties worked out their differences.
Jones, who'd expressed a preference to fight Daniel Cormier, offered an explanation for not signing the deal earlier.
"There was never an issue with a contract. I was traveling and finally got to Vegas and got to talk with Dana and Lorenzo. We talked and September 27, I'll be fighting Gustafsson," Jones said.
"I think Cormier is the tougher fighter, but the fans want to see me fight Gustafsson. There was never an issue with taking the Gustafsson fight.
"The issue was that my brother is getting married in July and I would have preferred a later date. I didn't want to go this early and I would have preferred to go later in October or November. It is what it is. We have a date now, Sept 27. This was a personal decision for me. I will be at my brother's wedding and have a proper training camp."
White added: "Obviously Jon is right, this if the fight the fans want to see. The great thing about this is, we get Jones vs. Gustafsson, and if Jones beats Gustafsson, we get Jones vs. Cormier.
"Two great fights in the light heavyweight division with three of the baddest guys in the world: the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world and champion Jon Jones, and the No. 1 and 2 contenders."
Jones will take a professional record of 20-1 into the cage; Gustafsson is 16-2.
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