Daniel Cormier reinstated as UFC light heavyweight champion after Jon Jones’ positive test
Daniel Cormier is checked by referee John McCarthy after receiving an accidental headbutt from opponent Jon Jones during UFC 214 at Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, Calif. Credit: Getty Images / Sean M. Haffey
… And new … and still … .
Daniel Cormier was reinstated as the UFC light heavyweight champion on Wednesday, one day after Jon Jones’ B sample also tested positive for the steroid Turinabol.
Earlier on Wednesday, the California State Athletic Commission notified the UFC that the result of Jones defeating Cormier at UFC 214 in Anaheim on July 29 was overturned to a no contest.
“As this was a title bout, Cormier will be reinstated as UFC light heavyweight champion,” the UFC said in a statement released Wednesday night.
Jones beat Cormier by third-round knockout to reclaim the light heavyweight championship, a title he now has had taken away three times because of various infractions.
Jones tested positive during an in-competition test conducted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency after he weighed in on Friday, July 28, the day before the fight. Jones is reported to have passed all other pre-fight and post-fight tests by USADA, which administers the UFC’s anti-doping policy.
Jones also tested positive for two banned substances in July 2016, just three days before he was supposed to challenge Cormier for the title at UFC 200. He was suspended for one year. Since the latest positive test is Jones’ second offense, he faces a ban of up to four years.
“People will stay stuff like ‘Well, you got handed the belt,’” Cormier said on “UFC Tonight” on Wednesday. “He cheated and the reality is for me to be say I don’t want this title when I was going to be in a championship fight anyways. Financially, it’s just a big difference if I don’t fight as the champion as opposed to fighting for a vacant title.”
Mark La Monica is a deputy sports editor at Newsday. He also covers mixed martial arts.
