UFC 200 was supposed to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, events in the UFC’s history. Jones claimed the positive result was due to a wild night of partying. If the violation was for a performance enhancer, Jones could be suspended for up to two years.
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Jon “Bones” Jones, who was set to fight Daniel Cormier in a rematch of their bout from UFC 182 in the main event, tested positive for a banned substance and was pulled from the card, the UFC announced.
The policy, which was enacted in 2015, is independently administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency. “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”, he explained. With insufficient time for a full review of Jones’ case before his main event bout against UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, Jones was removed from the card.
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.
“Obviously, he’s got the chance to prove himself innocent before being held guilty but, if it’s true, obviously super, super disappointing”.
UFC matchmaker Joe Silva expressed the thoughts of everyone in town when he landed to the news on Thursday (AEST) and immediately texted UFC boss Dana White: “What the f*** just happened”.
So, he said that he wouldn’t make Cormier fight at all based on the strength of the total card.
The UFC is hoping to find Cormier a last-second replacement in order to keep for light heavyweight champion in the lineup.
“I’ve trained hard and long”, Cormier said.
“USADA changes a lot of things”, he said.
“I’m very disappointed. I worked really hard for this”, Cormier said on Wednesday night, according to MMAFighting.com. But it stings real bad for Daniel Cormier.
Asked what he’d say to the fans, White said: “This (stinks)”.
“On Episode 4 of UFC 200 Embedded, heavyweight Mark Hunt has his mind blown by a magic trick while out and about in Las Vegas”.
“This fight isn’t a make or break for my career”.
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When Cormier won the UFC’s interim light-heavyweight championship while Jones was suspended a year ago, he opened his victory interview by saying “Jon Jones, get your s-t together”.
