Jon Jones still isn’t eligible to return to the Octagon until July, but he got a taste of his first competitive environment for the first time since defeating Ovince Saint Preux last April when he participated in grappling match Sunday with UFC legend Dan Henderson at Submission Underground 2. The former UFC light heavyweight champion came out victorious, submitting Henderson at 6:39 of the match via arm triangle.
The two UFC legends took a lighthearted approach at the beginning of the match, with both Jon Jones and Dan Henderson teasing strikes. But the soon after that, the two went down to business with a series of clinches that saw Henderson fend off the much bigger Jones. After battling against the fence, the greatest light heavyweight in UFC history finally got Henderson down with four minutes left in regulation.
Jon Jones escaped a loose arm bar attempt by Dan Henderson then transitioned from side control to half guard and eventually to full mount. With 90 seconds left in regulation, Jones moved to an arm triangle attempt, and after sliding over to Henderson’s side, the UFC legend eventually tapped.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity today. I really appreciate it. I know we’ve had our differences over the years, but I respect you tremendously. You’re truly a legend and one of the greatest of all time in our sport,” Jon Jones told Dan Henderson after the match. Submission Underground promoter Chael Sonnen then asked Jones to come back for Submission Underground 3 on Jan. 29 to which the latter replied, “I’m thinking me and you, Chael, should do a little something.” Sonnen quickly replied with, “In that case, I will see you Jan. 29.”
Last week, Jon Jones reached an agreement with the Nevada State Athletic Commission regarding his failed drug test prior to UFC 200. He was meted a one-year suspension, which would allow him to resume fighting in the UFC in July.
Source: Bleacher Report