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Jon Jones To Defend Light Heavyweight Title At UFC 145

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UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will headline UFC 145 opposite Rashad Evans or Dan Henderson on Saturday, April 21st, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jon Jones UFC Champ
Jon Jones UFC Champ

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.

"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!"

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.