This came around real quick…
Since defeating Daniel Cormier at UFC 182, Jon Jones has remained firmly outside the light-heavyweight title picture. Although he did defeat Ovince St-Preux for the interim belt at UFC 197, that title reign was very short lived.
Wondering how ‘Bones’ went from defending champion to fighting for the interim belt? Simply pu-Jones f*cked up big time. During a controversial hit-and-run in New Mexico, ‘Bones’ fled the scene of his rental wreck, leaving a pregnant woman injured.
After that, the talented but troubled champion’s future was questionable, at best.
Drug Tests & Car Wrecks
Adding to his already sketchy past, Jones failed an out-of-competition drug test before going crazy with his rental car. A highly publicized stay in rehab lasted all of two hours, before ‘Bones’ was let loose on the streets again.
Once he’d handed himself in for the car crash flee, Jones was stripped of the light-heavyweight title. Coming back to win the junior belt, Jones was again stripped for failing a second drug test, this time for estrogen blockers.
UFC 210 rolled around last week, and defending champion Daniel Cormier defeated Anthony Johnson. After that big win, ‘DC’ called out Jones, who sat in attendance in the New York crowd.
Dana Sets Date For The Rematch, With One Catch
Speaking with ESPN.com, UFC president Dana White gave the date for the big rematch. Check out what the baldfather had to say:
“Cormier is available to fight on July 8, but that time frame doesn’t work for Jon Jones,” White said. “Cormier already told me he’s willing to fight either Jones or Manuwa.
“If Jon Jones is ready to fight [by UFC 214] on July 29, we’ll see the Jones versus Cormier rematch, finally.”
Although this is one of the most heated rivalries in MMA history, White told MMAMania.com the rematch comes with a catch:
Co-Main Only
“If Jones fights, Jones is going to be a co-main event anyway.”
Outside of this highly likely second fight, White told ESPN that top ranked knockout artist Jimi Manuwa is in with a chance:
“Jimi wants Cormier,” White said. “They got into it at UFC 210 [earlier this month] and Jimi told me he’s never been talked to like that before. We’ll see how this plays out.”
