With Welterweight Title Contested at UFC 171, Jones-Teixeira Now Headlines UFC 172

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A light heavyweight title bout between Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira has been transplanted once again, as UFC President Dana White announced Friday that the bout will now headline UFC 172.

The pairing, which was initially announced for Feb. 1, has been shifted several times in the last two months by UFC officials to allow Jones to heal lingering injuries. Last week, the contest appeared to have found a permanent home as the UFC 171 headliner, but that event will now be topped by battle for the vacant welterweight strap between Robbie Lawler and Johny Hendricks.

No date or venue has been finalized for UFC 172, but UFC 171 takes place March 15 from the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. In addition to the Lawler-Hendricks headliner, the pay-per-view event will also see Jake Shields take on Hector Lombard at 170 pounds.

Jones, 26, captured the UFC light heavyweight title in 2011 and has defended the belt successfully a record six times, finishing the likes of Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort. “Bones” last competed on Sept. 21, taking a unanimous decision from Alexander Gustafsson in a “Fight of the Year” nominee at UFC 165.

Teixeira, 34, rides a 20-fight winning streak into his title opportunity. The Brazilian expat kicked off his Octagon run in May 2012, earning a pair of stoppage victories last year before besting Jackson, James Te Huna and Ryan Bader to close out 2013. Known for his finishing ability, Teixeira has stopped 19 of 22 victims inside the distance and has suffered just two career defeats in 11 years of competition.