TORONTO -- For the first time during his title reign, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones faces an opponent who can look him square in the eye. In fact, Alexander Gustafsson, an inch taller than the 6-foot-4 Jones, looked down slightly at the champ during their weigh-in Friday outside Air Canada Centre.
Jones and Gustafsson each weighed in at 204½ pounds for Saturday night's UFC 165 title bout. The main event takes place inside Air Canada Center.
While most of the prefight talk has centered on height and reach (Jones' reach is 84½ inches; Gustafsson's is 76½), the combatants said those measurements will be nonfactors when they step inside the Octagon.
"This sport is about intelligence and how you approach it," Jones said. "And I'm excited to show it."
Jones (18-1) is currently tied with Tito Ortiz for the UFC light heavyweight record for most consecutive successful title defenses with five. In his most recent fight, on April 27, Jones defeated Chael Sonnen by first-round TKO.
Gustafsson is 15-1 as a professional. He will carry a six-fight winning streak into the bout.
Bantamweight champion Renan Baroa checked in at 135 pounds, as did his opponent, Eddie Wineland. There was, however, some confusion as Wineland's weight was announced at 135¼ pounds.
Fighters receive a 1-pound weight allowance for non-title bouts, but not in title fights. UFC officials, however, confirmed to ESPN.com that Wineland did weigh in at 135.
Every fighter on the card made weight for his respective bout except bantamweight Ivan Menjivar. He weighed in at 137 pounds for his 135-pound fight with Wilson Reis (135). Menjivar was given two hours to shed 1 pound.
