LAS VEGAS — The UFC received an enormous gut-punch Wednesday night.
UFC president Dana White announced that Saturday night’s light heavyweight championship between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 has been canceled because Jones potentially failed a doping test.
White addressed the media at a surprise press conference, and the UFC since has released a statement on Jones’ potential doping violation and what it means for this weekend’s mega-card at T-Mobile Arena.
“The UFC organization was notified tonight that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Jon Jones of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on June 16, 2016.
“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed.
“However, because Jones was scheduled to compete against Daniel Cormier this coming Saturday, July 9 in Las Vegas, there is insufficient time for a full review before the scheduled bout and therefore the fight has been removed from the fight card. As a result, the three-round heavyweight bout between Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt will become the UFC 200 main event.”
The UFC tweeted this announcement shortly before White revealed Jones’ potential violation.
Earlier in the day, Jones addressed his tumultous 2015 that led to him being stripped of his light heavyweight belt and how this fight against Cormier could mean redemption for him.
“Had a long long year, really long year — court cases and lawsuits and just a whole bunch of stuff,” Jones said. “I think a big part of me forgetting about it and being able to move forward in my life is redeeming myself completely (and) doing the right things in the future. But getting this belt back is a huge part of that, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Now Cormier is left without an opponent, although he said he’d still like to fight Saturday night.
“I’ve trained hard and long,” Cormier said, via UFC.com. “And if anyone would fight, I’d fight. But if it doesn’t make sense for the organization or for me, then it doesn’t make sense. So I really don’t know what’s next. It’s very difficult to ask someone to come into this situation.”
Added White: “This is devastating to Daniel Cormier in every way it could possibly be. It stings real bad for him. I’d like to make a fight for him if I can.”
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
