MANILA, Philippines – Mixed martial arts (MMA) light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones is full of confidence going to his title defense against Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida this weekend.

The 24-year-old Jones said he was destined to fight Machida, the former light heavyweight champion.

“I always knew I'd fight Lyoto one day,” he said in UFC.com.

Jones will take on Machida in the main event of UFC 140. The fight will take place at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

“He's unpredictable, and he's fast. Lyoto works distance and I love distance, but I've got longer limbs and I believe I'm just as fast,” said the 6’4” MMA champion.

Jones said he will use his versatility and wrestling abilities against Machida, who is known for his ability to evade strikes.

“I have tons of confidence and faith on my wrestling abilities against Lyoto... I have tons of versatility in my take downs from the clinch,” said Jones.

Jones is coming off a successful title defense against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, whom he defeated by submission in UFC 135.

Machida, on the other hand, beat MMA legend Randy Couture to retirement via knockout in UFC 129.

“I will defeat Machida,” said Jones. “That's my destiny: to be UFC champion for many years.”