THE hotly-anticipated main event bout between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones at UFC 200 has officially been SCRAPPED.
UFC president Dana White broke the news to a stunned media room at a hastily-arranged press conference on Wednesday evening at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
White announced that the heavyweight bout between Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt was now the main event for UFC 200 before introducing UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky, who delivered the news nobody wanted to hear.
Reading a statement, Novitzky said: “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.
“Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information or UFC statements will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”
A clearly shell-shocked White attempted to answer questions about the situation and Jones’ possible future in the sport, saying that he would like to be able to offer Cormier the opportunity to fight an alternative opponent at Saturday’s event.
He also revealed that UFC matchmaker Joe Silva was flying to Vegas at the time of the press conference and wouldn’t know about the situation until he landed.
Indeed, Silva texted White during the press conference, with White relaying the message to the media.
“What the f**k just happened!”
A crestfallen Cormier also made an appearance to share his side of the story, thanking White for his support after learning that he’d just lost out on the biggest fight – and biggest payday – of his career.
White revealed that Silva has already started to receive messages from fighters offering to step in to face Cormier on Saturday night.
However, it remains to be seen whether the UFC can switch gears and find a suitable replacement to take on the light-heavyweight champ at less than one week’s notice.
UFC ANTI-DOPING PENALTIES
‘Non-specified substances’
As defined by the WADA code: Anabolic steroids, growth hormones, peptides, blood doping drugs and methods
- First offence: Two years (with possibility of four years for ‘aggravating circumstances’)
- Second offence: Double the sanction for the first offence
- Third offence: Double the sanction for the second offence
‘Specified substances’
As defined by the WADA code: Marijuana, cocaine, other stimulants and glucocorticosteroids (tested for in-competition only):
- First offence: One year (with possibility of two additional years for ‘aggravating circumstances’
- Second offence: Double the sanction for the first offence
- Third offence: Double the sanction for the second offence
Anti-doping violation during or leading up to a bout will result in disqualification of result and forfeiture of title, ranking and purse or other compensation.
Any purse, compensation or fine will be put toward the cost of UFC anti-doping programme and/or anti-doping research.
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