The co-main event at UFC 157 this weekend is a light heavyweight showdown between former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson.
Last September Henderson was next in line for Jon Jones’ 205-pound title, however he pulled out of their UFC 151 match-up, which eventually caused the card to be cancelled. Jones since fought Vitor Belfort and held on to his title.
At UFC on FOX 5 this past December Alexander Gustafsson put on a great performance against former light heavyweight champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and if he gets past Gegard Mousasi at UFC on FUEL TV 9 it was expected that he would be granted the title shot. Well, don’t think too fast, as UFC President Dana White has said the winner of Machida vs. Henderson would be next for Jones’ title.
“Obviously a win is a big deal. I love this fight. Stylistically it’s a great fight. You know Machida has this style where he lays back and counter punches and Henderson moves forward, he’s aggressive and in your face the entire time. I think the fight is going to be a great fight. This fight is all about the winner. The winner gets a shot at Jon Jones.”
However, Jones must get past his fellow TUF 17 coach Chael Sonnen at UFC 159 on April 27, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. White later said that he wasn’t predicting Jones was going to defeat Sonnen in Jersey.
The President just raised the stakes for the co-main event this Saturday night.
(Photo by Esther Lin for MMAFighting.com)
