Anderson Silva will replace Jon Jones at UFC 200 and face light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, the UFC announced Thursday night.
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A United States Anti-Doping Agency spokesperson says MMA fighter Jon Jones had a second sample test positive for a banned substance.
“Anderson is giving Daniel the opportunity to fight, to make money and to perform on UFC 200”, White said.
“Is there anything I can do? I’ll sign a release and we can just fight”. UFC 200, to be held this Saturday, was supposed to be headlined by the rematch of current light heavyweight champion Cormier and interim light heavyweight champion Jones. Of all the possible outcomes here, Dana White and UFC have to be happy with this one.
A day after pulling Jon Jones from the event for a potential doping violation, it’s being reported the promotion has put Anderson Silva in his place. Silva is fighting on two days’ notice.
UFC officials later confirmed the fight to MMAWeekly.com as well.
Silva has fought just three times at 205 pounds, but won each bout. To date, all but two of Silva’s wins have come by way TKO, KO or submission. He defeated James Irvin in July 2008, Forrest Griffin in August 2009 and Stephan Bonnar in October 2012 – all via first-round knockout. The show’s new featured attraction will be the women’s bantamweight bout between champion Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes.
WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar facing off with Mark Hunt will now be the main event of the UFC 200.
Silva underwent recent gall bladder surgery, but passed all his medicals Thursday. He is 0-3 with 1NC in his last four fights, as he is coming off a controversial decision loss to Michael Bisping last February.
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White also doesn’t think too highly of the people surrounding Jones, who apparently aren’t keeping a watchful eye on every supplement he’s taking and ensuring that he’s being taken care of ahead of every fight.
