Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will return at the year-ending UFC 232 card to face Alexander Gustafsson for the belt, according to a report by ESPN.
Jones, who will see his 15-month suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission expire later this month, will be fighting Gustafsson in a rematch of their bout at UFC 165 that was one of the closest in the title run for “Bones.”
This also marks his first fight since defeating Daniel Cormier, but having the result overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drug test. Jones was stripped of the belt after that decision, the second time he has lost the title outside of the Octagon.
Gustafsson, who has been bested twice in title fights by Jones and Cormier, has won two straight. He earned a victory over Glover Teixeira in his most recent appearance.
Cormier will be stripped of the belt to prepare for his heavyweight title defense next month vs. Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 in New York City.
Jones-Gustafsson will headline the December 29 fight from Las Vegas that also features Cris Cyborg defending her female featherweight belt against reigning bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.