The UFC fight that fans are waiting for is finally here.
Jon Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion, will fight against Chael Sonnen in a title defense match up on April 27th. While no venue was announced, UFC president Dana White did confirm the news to the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday.
The fight comes over a month after Jones had previously refused to fight Sonnen at UFC 151 after an injury to his scheduled opponent Dan Henderson. Following the injury, Jones was asked to accept a fight with Sonnen on eight day's notice, but refused to do it to the chagrin of fans and UFC president Dana White.
"This wasn't where I was going," White said to Yahoo! Sports. "But when this happened and Jones was going to be out for so long, it made sense. I understand completely [about Sonnen not having won a fight at light heavyweight], but it's a fight people want to see."
Due to the refusal by Jones, UFC 151 was cancelled. According to ESPN.com, it was the first time the organization needed to cancel and event of that size.
Jones later fought against Victor Belfort to defend his light heavyweight title and won in the fourth round with a submission. Jones improved his overall record to 17-1 with the fight.
Belfort had an early advantage in the fight after Jones brought him hard to the ground, but the Brazilian fighter countered with an armbar attempt that almost ended the fight.
"I've never had my arm pop like that before," said Jones to the Associated Press at the time. He also said he would have let his arm break rather than tap out. "I felt it, but I worked too hard to give up. I honestly was waiting for it to break."
According to ESPN.com, "As of two weeks ago, Jones' elbow had not fully recovered, necessitating the April date, White told the Los Angeles Times."
Following that match, Dana White spoke about the desire for a matchup between the two.
"I can tell you right now, I think they both want that fight," White said to ESPN.com. "I just think there are other fights that make more sense. People do want to see it. If enough people want to see it, I guess I'll have to make it."
Sonnen has a 27-12-1 record and has matched up twice against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, losing both times. He was originally set to fight Forrest Griffin in December, but was moved to the fight against Jones in April.
"This should be a good one," White said to Yahoo! Sports. "Jon has accepted the fight. He knows the fans want to see that fight."
According to ESPN, it will be his first fight at the light heavyweight level since 2005.
In August, Sonnen tweeted to Jones: "I know you will never fight me. Don't be afraid. But I'll always be the monster in the closet of your mind, little JJ." After Jones' win over Belfort, Sonnen reminded him: "I'm not going anywhere Johnny!!"
After saying earlier that Sonnen did not deserve a fight against him, Jones changed his tune last week on Twitter.
"The more I realize how bad the fans want to see me fight Sonnen the more I'm beginning to disregard whether he deserves it or not," Jones tweeted last Thursday.
The more the two go at each other the happier White will be. It already is a big matchup due to the skills of both fighters, but drama between the two will only bring higher ratings come April.
Adding to the intrigue for the fight, both Jones and Sonnen will coach the new season of the television series "The Ultimate Fighter," which airs on FX.
The two will coach young fighters on the show, which starts shooting on Oct. 29th and will air early next year in January.
