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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The succession of challengers to face UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has been a matter of common sense for the past several weeks, but on Tuesday's edition of "UFC Tonight" on Fuel TV, UFC President Dana White confirmed the beliefs of many.
The three names that have been involved in the mix are Rashad Evans, Phil Davis, and Dan Henderson. Evans and Davis meet this Saturday night in the main event of UFC on Fox 2 in Chicago, while Henderson's awaiting that fight to see what his next move will be after defeating Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in November.
It's been thought that Evans was at the front of the line should he defeat Davis, as he's essentially been the number one contender without getting a title fight due to injuries since May of 2010. White said that's exactly the case.
"If Rashad Evans wins, and if he doesn't get injured, he will fight Jon Jones," White said. "He's the guy who gets the shot. He's been waiting a long time, and he's the one who deserves it."
However, that doesn't mean Davis will take his spot should he upset him on Saturday night, as White also made clear the backup plan if Evans isn't the next one in against Jones.
"Should Rashad get hurt, then Dan Henderson will fight next."
White didn't reveal the timetable for Jones' next fight, but it's been speculated as the headliner for the UFC 145 card in Atlanta in April.
Penick's Analysis: It's not really telling us anything we didn't know, but it gives a clear hierarchy to the top of the light heavyweight division right now. The Evans fight is the bigger fight if they can get it together for April, but Henderson will make for an excellent challenge should Evans either lose or not be ready in time for UFC 145. As for Davis, he's publicly stated he'd be fine being passed over the next shot for Henderson, so if that's what ends up happening, he'll simply take another fight to earn his own shot.
[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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