UFC News: Jon Jones stripped of interim UFC light heavyweight title
Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones’ MMA career, has been in a bit of a flux as of late, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better anytime soon.
Jones, who won the interim title back in April, was flagged by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) just two days before his scheduled UFC 200 main event clash with Daniel Cormier and was pulled from the card as a result.
Now the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has handed ‘Bones’ a one year suspension as a result, forcing UFC President Dana White’s hand to strip Jones of his interim strap. Here’s what White had to say, (courtesy: mmafighting.com):
"It doesn't make sense. He was the interim champion because he should have been fighting for the title [in April]. We gave him this, 'You were supposed to fight for the title, here it is.' It doesn't make sense with all the stuff that is going on for him to still be the interim champion."
Jones was stripped of his undisputed 205-pound title back in 2015 after being involved in a hit and run, in which the champion broke a pregnant woman’s arm and fled the scene.
After settling his legal issues, Jones faced off against Ovince Sain Preux in the main event of UFC 197 in April for the interim light heavyweight title, taking home a decisive unanimous decision victory over ‘OSP’.
It was then announced that Jones and Cormier would meet in the main event of the massive UFC 200 card in Las Vegas, to unify the title, perhaps settling their rivalry once and for all. Alas, that was not to be, as Jones would then be taken off the card by USADA.
As for Cormier, he will defend his title against heavy-handed challenger Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson, in the main event of UFC 206 live on pay-per-view (PPV), from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on December 11, 2016.
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