UFC president Dana White has announced that former middleweight champion Anderson Silva will face Daniel Cormier in a non-title fight at UFC 200 after Jon Jones was flagged by USADA for using performance enhancing drugs (PED). So when UFC president Dana White called to see if he was interested in replacing Jon “Bones” Jones as Daniel Cormier’s opponent Saturday night, Silva decided to make it a working vacation.
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For one, the 37-year-old Louisiana native has spent his entire training regiment over the last few months preparing for Jones, who’s skills can be compared to Silva’s but is far more aggressive and all-around fighter and wrestler.
“I think it’s an interesting, fun fight”, UFC boss Dana White said at a post-fight news conference for UFC Fight Night. “Listen, Anderson Silva is undefeated at 205. Any times he’s moved up to 205 he’s looked even better than he did at 185, which is insane”.
Given the late notice, the pair will meet in a three-round, non-title light-heavyweight contest.
UFC 200 takes place Saturday night; the main card is available on pay-per-view starting at 10 while the preliminary card starts at 8 on FS1. Since this is a three-round non-title fight, that works in his favour too.
Let’s get something straight: If Conor McGregor couldn’t main event UFC 200, Jones vs. Cormier II is the bout everyone seemed okay with. The women’s bantamweight title bout between champion Miesha Tate and challenger Amanda Nunes was named the new main event.
Regardless of the result there would always be something of an emptiness to the fight for Cormier – this was not the fight he wanted. Now, instead of facing arguably the best fighter on the planet, he faces an MMA legend that is unquestionably on the downside of his career. Silva provides another narrative, and the UFC still has a replacement headliner – the fight between Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt.
Silva’s unique fighting style, experience and striking speed and accuracy does give him a puncher’s chance in this matchup.
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USADA protocol calls for a two-year competition ban, but Bob Bennett of the Nevada State Athletic Commission said his office is empowered to determine the penalty for Jones.
