Despite Rumors of Cancellation, Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader Still Set for UFC 126

In a division filled past the breaking point with incredible championship-caliber athletes, Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader stands out as a landmark match that will likely crown the next ufc Light Heavyweight superstar. But will it even happen? Reports surfaced recently that Bader may have pulled out of his scheduled showdown with Jonny Bones at UFC 126 on February 5, but according to famous MMA reporter Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting, that may not be the case after all. Here are all the details.

Helwani reports from England that he has talked to Jon Jones’ agent, Malki Kawa, and that Kawa has stated that the fight is most definitely still on. In fact, Kawa said that Jones had even received a contract for the fight. According to Helwani, UFC sources close to the situation also said that the fight was still proceeding as planned. The confusion started at a recent UFC 120 question-and-answer session when UFC President Dana White said the following: “I don’t know if Jones is going to fight Bader. We tried to put that fight together, but Bader has some stuff going on. Jon Jones might be fighting somebody else, I don’t know how that’s going to go.”

I think Helwani is as reliable a source as they come, so I tend to believe what he says far more often than not. So I do believe that we’ll be getting Bones vs. “Darth Bader” at the UFC’s Super Bowl Weekend super-card after all. Also, I think this fight will stand out as one of the best fights of the night, and it could quite possibly be a contender for Fight of the Year if it lives up to its potential. Bader looked a bit boring in his recent win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, but Jones has a way of bringing out the best in his opponents…right before he utterly demolishes them, of course.

If something does come along and this fight is called off once again, I’ll definitely be disappointed. A big win elevates either man to championship contender status. This is a huge fight, and it most definitely belongs on one of the biggest cards of the year. The UFC is risking a lot by putting two of their brightest prospects against each other, but I think the rewards far outweighs the potential damage this bout could do to the loser’s fast-rising status. It’s an excellent match-up to make, and while I think the UFC would find a suitable replacement for either man should one end up pulling out of the fight after all, I think Bones and Bader are the absolute best next opponent for each other.

And I’m still picking Jon Jones to win this one and win it decisively. People thought Matt Hamill would be a tough test and Jones destroyed him (even though Jones got DQ’d). People thought Brandon Vera would be a tough test and Jones destroyed him. I personally thought Vladimir Matyushenko would be a tough test for Jones…and Jones destroyed him. Bader looks like a tough test, his past credentials say he’s a tough test, his performances inside the Octagon say he’s a tough test…and I think Jones is going to destroy him.

But what about you, fans and friends? Do you think there’s still a possibility that this fight will be pulled, and if not, who’ve you got winning and why?