Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones has defended his belt for the eighth consecutive time. Now, he awaits for the winner of the Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson fight for his next great challenge.

The build-up for the UFC 182 card was immense. The tension between Jones and challenger Daniel Cormier was readily apparent after their media day scuffle that erupted months ago.

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Words were said and promises were made by both fighters. After five hard-fought rounds, Jones defeated Cormier via unanimous decision. He even boasts that he beat Cormier in his own game, taking the ex-olympic wrestler twice.

With eight consecutive defenses and the light heavyweight division mostly wiped clean, people now begin to ponder who will challenge Jones next.

That question will be answered by the upcoming fight between Gustafsson and Johnson on January 24.

The two surging light heavyweight superstars lock horns in the main event of UFC on Fox 14 in Gustafsson's hometown of Sweden.

While Jones has already beaten Gustafsson, the fight was so close that fans and pundits alike weren't completely convinced of the win. In their minds, they see Gustafsson as the person who could possibly dethrone the champion.

After Gustafsson lost a razor-close decision to Jones last September 2013, he took out former undefeated fighter Jimi Manuwa with a TKO stoppage in the first round.

Johnson on the other hand is a success story waiting to happen.

A former UFC welterweight, Johnson was cut from the organization when he failed to make weight several times. He then racked up six wins outside the octagon and made his way back where he has been on a tear.

He has had two fights since he returned to the UFC, beating up-and-comer Phil Davis and knocking out Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

These two light heavyweights collide in a few weeks-time, with the winner becoming the next challenger for Jones' light heavyweight championship.

Light heavyweights aside though, Jones has expressed interest in moving up to the heavyweight division. A potential superfight with Cain Velasquez could also loom on the horizon if he could get past Gustafsson or Johnson.

TagsJon Jones, Next Great Challenge, Daniel Cormier, Alexander Gustafsson, anthony johnson