The non-title match-up was necessitated by the forced withdrawal of Jon Jones courtesy of his failed USADA drug test.
Advertisement
Silva’s move onto the card came with just a few days notice, as Cormier’s initial opponent, Jon “Bones” Jones, was taken out of the main event fight due to testing positive for using banned substances.
Anderson Silva, one of the most successful fighters in UFC history, suffered a defeat to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 200.
The 41-year-old Silva (33-7) reigned as the middleweight champion for almost seven years, but he hasn’t earned a victory in four fights since October 2012.
“I’ve been in the business long enough – the entertainment industry, the fight game – the show still goes on”, said Lesnar after he opted out of doing the open workout.
Despite the positive drug test, Cormier asked Dana White to let the fight still happen. Although Silva claims to be in solid shape, he wasn’t ready to accept a five-round fight, the required length to fight for a championship belt.
It will be a non-title fight at 205 pounds, lasting three rounds.
White also announced Miesha Tate’s first defense of her women’s UFC bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes will serve as the new main event to UFC 200.
It remains to be seen how the non-title fight goes, and obviously, Cormier is going to be a huge favorite to win.
Donald Cerrone made the comment about Daniel Cormier’s performance against Anderson Silva during a Q&A at the UFC Fan Expo on Sunday here at the Las Vegas Convention Center. There had been plenty of build-up including verbal sparring between Cormier and Jones leading toward their presumed fight in Las Vegas.
“I’ve gone through a lot of phases in my UFC career and no one else has really been able to beat what I have done”, Silva said via ESPN.
Since his loss to Michael Bisping in February, Silva has not fought ever since.
Advertisement
Silva does require final medical clearance by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but UFC expects Silva to be cleared. The current Light Heavyweight champion will make the same amount facing the Brazilian as he would have Jones.
