Jones, Cormier replace Connor in UFC match

MANILA, Philippines - The Ultimate Fighting Championship has replaced the canceled Connor McGregor bout with an equally explosive rematch pitting Jon “Bones” Jones against Daniel Cormier as the main event of UFC 200 on July 10 (Phl time).

The official announcement came yesterday a few days after Jones overpowered Ovince Saint Preux via unanimous decision in his first fight since he was stripped of his light heavyweight title last year.

The decision to highlight UFC 200 with the Jones-Cormier fight underscored the fight outfit’s stand not to give in to McGregor’s wish of easing up his promotional loads to be able to concentrate on his re-match with Nate Diaz.

McGregor, undeniably UFC’s biggest star today after zooming to stardom with a sensational knockout victory of Jose Aldo last year, declined to attend UFC’s promotional tour in Las Vegas last week leading to his supposed duel with Diaz.

He even declared on his Twitter account that he has “retired,” only to change his mind and say he’ll fight in UFC 200.

But he didn’t get his wish.

Instead, it will be Jones and Cormier who will take the UFC center stage.

“Competitively, I respect what he’s done. He beat me, so I do want to fight him again,” Cormier told UFC.com.

Jones (22-1) currently holds the interim championship following the win over Saint Preux. The only loss of Cormier (17-1) came from Jones.

inflicteddInterestingly, Cormier’s lone defeat came at the hands of Jones in UFC 182 last year.

Before losing the crown, Jones was considered one of the most dominant champions not just in the UFC but also in the mixed martial arts world.