MMA Nation - Montreal Plans Scrapped, Jon Jones Heads To UFC 145 In Atlanta

Jon Jones To Defend Light Heavyweight Title At UFC 145

2012-01-29T01:31:49Z

As expected, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title in the main event of UFC 145, to be held at the Philips Arena on Saturday, April 21st, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia.

UFC officials confirmed the booking during Saturday night's UFC on Fox 2 broadcast.

The last UFC event to held in Atlanta was four years ago, when fans filled the Phillips Arena to witness Rashad Evans blast through Chuck Liddell on September 6th, 2008 at UFC 88.

An opponent for Jones has yet to be confirmed, however White recently clarified the title picture on Fuel TV's UFC Tonight.

"If Rashad Evans wins (against Phil Davis), and if he doesn't get injured, he will fight Jon Jones," White declared. "He's the guy who gets the shot. He's been waiting a long time, and he's the one who deserves it."

Conversely, if Evans loses or suffers an injury in victory, former Strikeforce and Pride champion Dan Henderson is set to receive the headlining spot opposite Jones. Henderson recently defeated former UFC champion Shogun Rua at UFC 139, in a gutsy contest that many have called one of the greatest fights in UFC history.

UFC On Fox 2 News: Jon Jones Will Defend Title At UFC 145

2012-01-29T01:29:33Z

The UFC made it official tonight with an announcement that light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will face the winner of UFC on Fox 2's Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis. This will be Jones' third title defense since taking the title from Mauricio Rua at UFC 128.

"Fans in Atlanta have been tweeting me and telling me over and over again to bring the UFC back to their city," UFC President Dana White said. "Well guess what Atlanta? The UFC is coming back to Atlanta with the sport's fastest-rising star, Jon Jones, defending his light heavyweight title!"

"We are thrilled to welcome the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization back to Philips Arena for UFC 145," stated Trey Feazell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Philips Arena. "The 2008 UFC 88 event featuring Chuck Liddell and Rashad Evans was an incredible night and remains a highpoint in Philips Arena's 13 year history."

UFC 145 will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21, 2012 at the Philips Arena. Other fights expected to be on the card are:

UFC 145 FIGHT CARD

Rory MacDonald vs Che Mills
Travis Browne vs Chad Griggs
Ben Rothwell vs Brendan Schaub
Mark Bocek vs Matt Wiman
Mark Hominick vs Eddie Yagin
Mac Danzig vs Efrain Escudero
Chris Clements vs Keith Wisniewski
John Makdessi vs Anthony Njokuani
Michael McDonald vs Miguel Torres
Maximo Blanco vs Marcus Brimage

Jon Jones Targeting April Return, Looking At UFC 145

2012-01-21T05:55:20Z

Jon Jones' vacation didn't last as long as he planned.

In the aftermath of one of the most legendary runs in mixed martial arts history -- twelve months that saw the 24-year-old storm through Ryan Bader, Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida en route to the UFC light heavyweight strap -- Jones politely asked for a break to follow his December title defense.

A month of inactivity later, "Bones" appears to have that itch back.

"I realized over this time off that fighting is my livelihood," Jones explained on the UFC on FX 1 post-fight show. "When I'm not fighting, even if I'm doing PR or working, I feel like I'm not doing anything. Fighting and training and being at the gym is what makes me feel alive.

"I've got to get back in there," he concluded.

For the UFC brass, Jones' timing appears to be perfect. Earlier this week the promotion scrapped plans for a Montreal show in March due to a lack of a "championship-caliber card."

With all eight of the match-ups now rebooked for UFC 145 on April 21 in Atlanta, and a "championship-caliber" headliner still up in the air, the UFC's fastest growing star could likely fit the bill.

Jones seemingly revealed as much when asked for a target date for his return.

"You know I've been hearing rumors of, maybe, the (Atlanta) card," the young champion tentatively responded. "Around April I'll be ready."

UFC 145 Fight Card: Miguel Torres Returns Against Michael McDonald

2012-01-20T23:30:48Z

Fresh from exile, Miguel Torres has his next match-up.

The former WEC champion has been booked opposite red-hot prospect Michael McDonald for a featured bantamweight bout at UFC 145. UFC officials confirmed the bout on Friday.

The bout marks Torres' (40-4) first appearance inside the Octagon since briefly being cut from the UFC due to a rape-related tweet.

Prior to the controversy, the 30-year-old fighter experienced an admirable career resurgence, winning three of his last four fights with the only loss coming in a polarizing decision against Demetrious Johnson. He last appeared at UFC 139, dominating Nick Pace en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old McDonald (14-1) continues to live up to his billing as one of the 135-pound division's rising stars. A winner of his last seven fights, including all three under the UFC banner, "Mayday" rocketed further up the ladder by crushing Alex Soto in 56 seconds last November.

In addition, seven previously confirmed match-ups for the now-defunct Montreal card have officially been rebooked for UFC 145. Those bouts include welterweights Rory MacDonald (12-1) vs. Che Mills (14-4), heavyweights Chad Griggs (11-1) vs. Travis Browne (12-0-1), heavyweights Brendan Schaub (8-2) vs. Ben Rothwell (31-8), lightweights Anthony Njokuani (14-6) vs. John Makdessi (9-1), lightweights Mark Bocek (10-4) vs. Matt Wiman (14-6), lightweights Mac Danzig (20-9-1) vs. Efrain Escudero (18-4), and welterweights Keith Wisniewski (28-13-1) vs. Chris Clements (10-4).

UFC 145 takes place April 21st in Atlanta, Georgia. A headliner is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

UFC 145 fight card:

Featherweight: Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin
Featherweight: Marcus Brimage vs. Maximo Blanco
Bantamweight: Michael McDonald vs. Miguel Torres
Welterweight: Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills
Heavyweight: Chad Griggs vs. Travis Browne
Heavyweight: Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell
Lightweight: Anthony Njokuani vs. John Makdessi
Lightweight: Mark Bocek vs. Matt Wiman
Lightweight: Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero
Welterweight: Keith Wisniewski vs. Chris Clements

UFC 145 Fight Card: Mark Hominick Vs. Eddie Yagin Rebooked For April

2012-01-19T22:45:28Z

Two familiar faces have joined UFC 145's fight card.

Following a complete reshuffling of the UFC's spring schedule, a previously scheduled featherweight bout between perennial contender Mark Hominick and former Tachi Palace Fights champion Eddie Yagin has been rebooked for the Atlanta show. UFC officials confirmed the news on Thursday.

A 29-year-old Ontario native, Hominick (20-10) met a stunning end after being floored by "The Korean Zombie," Chan Sung Jung, in just seven seconds last month at UFC 140. The surprise finish piggybacked off a UFC 129 title loss to Jose Aldo to give "The Machine" his first losing streak since 2007. Prior to the slump, Hominick racked up five-straight wins over the likes of Leonard Garcia, George Roop, and Bryan Caraway.

Across the cage, the 32-year-old Yagin (15-5-1) hopes to rebound from a disappointing UFC debut in which he emerged on the wrong side of a listless decision against Junior Assuncao. A well-rounded veteran with over a decade of experience, "The Filipino Phenom" holds notable victories over Joe Neri, Casey Olson, and former Bellator champion Joe Soto.

UFC 145 is slated for April 21st in Atlanta, Georgia. More match-ups are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

UFC 145 fight card:

Featherweight: Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin
Featherweight: Marcus Brimage vs. Maximo Blanco

UFC 145 Fight Card: Maximo Blanco Debuts Against Marcus Brimage

2012-01-19T20:16:55Z

After receiving a fresh slate, UFC 145 has its first confirmed booking.

Strikeforce veteran Maximo Blanco will make his UFC debut on the Atlanta card against The Ultimate Fighter 14 cast member Marcus Brimage, according to reports from MMA Weekly.

A longtime lightweight, the 28-year-old Blanco (8-3-1, 1 NC) readies for the 145-pound division after a surprising second-round loss to Pat Healy snapped a six-fight win that saw the Venezuelan become the King Of Pancrase. Notably, "Maxi" is the only fighter to carry victories over both Inoue brothers, Katsuya and Seigo.

Meanwhile, despite stumbling against Bryan Caraway in the TUF 14 quarterfinals, the 26-year-old Brimage (4-1) paved his way into the UFC by cruising to a unanimous decision over Stephen Bass in the show's finale. Training out of American Top Team, "The Bama Beast" carries thunder in his hands, as evidenced by his second-round TKO over Bryson Wailehua-Hansen in TUF 14's opening round.

UFC 145 takes place on April 21 in Atlanta, Georgia. More match-ups are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

UFC 145 fight card:

Featherweight: Marcus Brimage vs. Maximo Blanco

UFC 145 Fight Card: Anthony Njokuani Returns Against John Makdessi

2012-01-12T18:06:59Z

A lightweight contest between Nigerian striker Anthony Njokuani and Canadian knockout artist John Makdessi has been added to the fight card of UFC 145. UFC officials confirmed the match-up on Thursday.

Njokuani (14-6), a longtime WEC veteran and four-time Zuffa "Fight Night" bonus winner, has largely fought to mixed results since transferring into the UFC. While the 31-year-old owns a win over Andre Winner to his credit, it's sandwiched between decision losses to Edson Barboza and Danny Castillo. Nicknamed "The Assassin," Njokuani has compiled eight wins via knockout in his nine-year career.

The 26-year-old Makdessi (9-1), on the other hand, hopes to rebound after being choked out by Dennis Hallman in three minutes at UFC 140 for his first professional loss. Prior to his setback, "The Bull" stormed through a nine-fight win streak, featuring seven knockout finishes and UFC victories over Pat Audinwood and Kyle Watson.

UFC 145 takes place March 24th, 2012 in Montreal, Canada at the Bell Centre. A headlining bout has not been announced.

UFC 145 fight card:

Welterweight: Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills
Heavyweight: Chad Griggs vs. Travis Browne
Heavyweight: Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell
Lightweight: Anthony Njokuani vs. John Makdessi
Featherweight: Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin
Lightweight: Mark Bocek vs. Matt Wiman
Lightweight: Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero
Welterweight: Keith Wisniewski vs. Chris Clements

UFC 145 Fight Card: Chris Clements Debuts Against Keith Wisniewski

2012-01-09T21:54:57Z

Canadian knockout artist Chris Clements has signed with the UFC and will debut against welterweight veteran Keith Wisniewski at UFC 145, according to reports from topmmanews.com. Promotion officials have yet to confirm the match-up.

A longtime fixture of the Ontario fight scene, Clements (10-4) finally enters the Octagon on the strength of a four-fight win streak that saw the Team Tompkins-product smash Zuffa veterans Rich Clementi and Jonathan Goulet in short order. All ten of "The Menace's" wins have come way of knockout, including an infamous three-second KO of Lautaro Tucas that made the internet rounds back in 2006.

Meanwhile, the 30-year-old Wisniewski (28-13-1) hopes to rebound after falling to Josh Neer via second-round TKO at UFC on Versus 5. The loss snapped a six-fight win streak for "The Polish Connection," that included victories over UFC veterans Chris Wilson and Pete Spratt.

UFC 145 is slated for March 24th, 2012 in Montreal, Canada and is expected to be held at the Bell Centre. A headlining bout has not been announced.

UFC 145 fight card:

Welterweight: Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills
Heavyweight: Chad Griggs vs. Travis Browne
Heavyweight: Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell
Featherweight: Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin
Lightweight: Mark Bocek vs. Matt Wiman
Lightweight: Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero
Welterweight: Keith Wisniewski vs. Chris Clements