Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is slated to defend his title against top contender Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 178 on Sept. 27. It wasn't necessarily an easy bout to make, however, and Jones provided the reason why during an interview Monday on 'The MMA Hour.'
UFC president Dana White originally announced that the fight would be held on Aug. 30. This, however, was news to Jones, who had yet to sign a bout agreement. And the champ, who learned of the news from an online report, found White's revelation somewhat insulting -- a form of bullying.
"I just kind of identified it with being a like strong-arm technique on their part, trying to get fans pushing for a fight and prematurely announcing a fight," Jones said, according to MMAFighting.com. "It's not that I haven't signed a contract, I hadn't even heard that date before. I thought it was unprofessional, I thought it was a bullying technique, bully style. I don't know what it was. But it is what it is."
Afterward, Jones revealed that he preferred to fight former top heavyweight contender Daniel Cormer instead of Gustafsson. Cormier moved to light heavyweight immediately after his training partner and close friend, Cain Velasquez, successfully defended his heavyweight belt Oct. 19 against Junior dos Santos at UFC 166.
He has vowed never to fight Velasquez. Since making the drop to 205 pounds, Cormier [15-0-0] has looked impressive - with stoppages of Patrick Cummins and Dan Henderson.
Jones [20-1-0] has called Cormier a tougher opponent than Gustafsson, and he is probably correct. But MMA fans have been salivating for a rematch between Jones and Gustafsson since the two met Sept. 21 at UFC 165.
In that fight Gustafsson [16-2-0] gave Jones the more difficult fight of his pro career. Jones survived the closely contested fight, winning by unanimous decision, but he was bruised and battered afterward.
Jones and Gustafsson have returned to the Octagon since their initial meeting: the champ overhelmed hard-hitting Glover Texeira en route to a lopsided unanimous decision April 26 st UFC 172; Gustafsson secured his title rematch with a second-round TKO of Jimi Manuwa in March.
Eventually, Jones agreed to fight Gustafsson. And despite the UFC's so-called 'bully technique,' Jones said his relationship with the promotion has improved.
"I think we are in a very healthy spot," Jones said. "We actually talked about being in contact more often and things like that. Instead of going through my managers to talk about things, we'll have a more open line of communication. I'm really happy about that. I feel like we're in a very open and honest place right now."
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