Champion Jones, challenger Gustafsson make weight for UFC 165
At a crowded Maple Leaf Square in Toronto on Friday, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones had no trouble meeting the 205-pound weight requirement.
Jones tipped the scales at 204.5, playing to the crowd and throwing both shoes and his shirt out for those in attendance to fight over. The crowd, however, was lukewarm towards Jones, mixing in boos and cheers for the 18-1 champion.
His opponent, 6-foot-5 Swede Alexander Gustafsson, also checked in at 204.5.
And with that, Saturday's main event is set.
The fight has been promoted as a unique test for Jones based on Gustafsson's height - this will be Jones' first time fighting someone taller than him. However, it may be a bit overblown considering they're only an inch apart and Jones still has a significant reach advantage.
Asked if height will play a factor, Jones said, "No, it shouldn't at all, man. This sport is about intelligence and the way you approach this game. I'm so ready."
Gustafsson agreed, telling Joe Rogan in a brief interview, "It's no factor at all. It's all going to come down to who's been working the hardest. I want that belt, man."
The fact that Gustafsson is currently a 5.5-to-1 underdog shows that the public doesn't think the fight will be as close as it's been promoted to be.
Dana White added to the dramatics of the weigh-ins by sporting a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater. Yes, it's just playing to the Toronto fans, but the name on the back -- Mats Sundin -- happens to be a Swede as well.
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The second main event had far less fanfare, with UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao and challenger Eddie Wineland each making the 135-pound limit.
Dana White announced earlier this week that the winner of this fight will face Dominick Cruz in a title unification fight in the near future. If Cruz, who has been out since October 2011, can't make the fight, the winner of Barao-Wineland will become the UFC bantamweight champion without an interim tag.
There was little of significance from the weigh-ins for the other fights on the card, although heavyweights Brendan Schaub and Matt Mitrione did have a brief war of words. Both easily made the 265-pound heavyweight limit.
The only fighter who failed to make weight was Ivan Menjivar, who has two hours to drop one pound.
Jon Jones (204.5) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (204.5)
Renan Barao (135) vs. Eddie Wineland (135.25)
Brendan Schaub (237) vs. Matt Mitrione (260.5)
Costas Philippou (186) vs. Francis Carmont (186)
Khabib Nurmagomedov (156) vs. Pat Healy (155.75)
Myles Jury (156) vs. Mike Ricci (155.5)
Ivan Menjivar (137) vs. Wilson Reis (135)
Chris Clements (169.5) vs. Stephen Thompson (170.5)
Mitch Gagnon (136) vs. Dustin Kimura (136)
John Makdessi (155) vs. Renee Forte (155.5)
Jesse Ronson (155.5) vs. Michel Richard dos Prazeres (155)
Roland Delorme (136) vs. Alex Caceres (136)
Nandor Guelmino (230) vs. Daniel Omielanczuk (245.5)
Photo Courtesy: MMA Fighting