Jon Jones returns to the octagon tonight in UFC 232 in an attempt to recapture the light heavyweight title he was forced to vacate after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
In this card moved to Los Angeles because Nevada wouldn’t license him, Jones faces Alexander Gustafsson, who fought brilliantly in their first fight in 2013 and out-pointed Jones for three rounds before being elbowed in the fourth and losing a five-round decision.
Gustafsson’s size provides him the length needed to compete with Jones, but the Swede does not possess the power to hurt Jones. In that first fight, the best performance of his career, Gustafsson caught a “ripe” Jones, who had been training more in the Albuquerque, N.M., bars than in the gym.
Gustafsson will try to employ constant movement and counterpunching, much as he did in their first fight, because his sole path to victory is via decision. Jones will take this fight to right to Gustafsson.
The plays: Jones -300 over Gustafsson (at William Hill). Fight prop: Under 4.5 rounds, -115 (at Westgate).