UFC fighter Jon Jones has been "accused of a drug-testing violation and his title unification bout with Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 200 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena is off," according to Kevin Iole of YAHOO SPORTS. UFC President Dana White said that the Brock Lesnar-Mark Hunt heavyweight bout "would be the main event, though it will remain a three-rounder." Jones "could face a two-year sanction if found guilty of the violation." White said that Jones "has a chance to prove himself innocent, but said he didn't know if Jones had requested the B sample to be tested." Under UFC's drug-testing policy, which is the "same as is done in the Olympics, Jones has the right to have his B sample tested to make sure the results are consistent." Though UFC did "not announce what Jones tested positive for, it would have to be" a PED that is on WADA's prohibited list. Iole notes Jones' fight with Cormier "was the main event of what was to be the biggest show of the year." Cormier "appeared devastated" by the news but "took the high ground" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/7). White said that UFC "would attempt to book another fight for Cormier, but isn't sure it could find a reasonable opponent on such short notice." The AP's Greg Beacham notes Cormier "would get some compensation if he misses out on the UFC 200 card, which is expected to be one of the biggest sellers in MMA history" (AP, 7/7). In Las Vegas, Adam Hill in a front-page piece notes fans with tickets to UFC 200 "will be able to collect a refund" upon request "at primary point of purchase." Under Nevada Athletic Commission rules, refunds "must be offered any time there is an alteration to the main event" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/7).
TOUGH BREAK: USA TODAY's Martin Rogers writes White saw the "biggest card in his company's history blow up spectacularly in a way he might have secretly feared, but could not have steeled himself for." White said, "Everything was going so smooth, nobody had been hurt, everyone was healthy. And then boom." The UFC's "biggest promotion ever will now be fronted" by Hunt, its No. 8-ranked heavyweight, and Lesner, "a WWE star returning to the UFC after five years" (USA TODAY, 7/7). YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel writes UFC 200 will "still feature two title fights," but Jones being pulled "is a loss." The Jones-Cormier rivalry was "sure to help drive pay-per-view sales to an expected all-time high." Wetzel: "That the card is still strong is about the only solace" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/7). ESPN's Brett Okamoto noted Jones "was the guy driving this bus" on UFC 200, even "more so than Brock Lesnar." Okamoto said, "As big of a star as Brock Lesnar is, this event needed Jon Jones, so to have him fall out with a potential doping violation of all things, it’s a surreal feeling in Las Vegas right now” ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 7/6). In L.A., Lance Pugmire writes with aspirations to "surpass UFC 196 as the best-selling pay-per-view card in company history, changing advertising for the bout two days before it starts complicates that mission" (L.A. TIMES, 7/7).
TWITTER REAX: Bleacher Report's Jonathan Snowden wrote, "Hot Take: This sport was better before out of competition drug testing. ... UFC had the perfect doping system in place. The government was responsible. What better shield exists? No one was demanding this. SMH." But Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith wrote, "Credit to the UFC for implementing an anti-doping policy with real teeth." MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani: "Worth noting, street drugs (cocaine, marijuana etc.) aren’t tested for out of competition. This was from an out of competition test on 6/16." Yahoo Sports' Wetzel: "Dana White trusted Jon Jones with UFC 200. One doping test later, it's all blown up."
NEW HEADLINER: The L.A. TIMES' Pugmire notes White has "respectfully maintained" Lesnar's return is a "'one-and-done' venture." But UFC co-Owner Lorenzo Fertitta confessed a Lesnar victory "could provoke follow-up conversations." Lesnar said, "I'm booked through August and then we'll see what happens [with WWE]." But Lesnar implied that if things are going well in UFC, WWE Chair & CEO Vince McMahon "will find a happier Lesnar a more pleasant employee." Lesnar: "(The future beyond UFC 200) is not a question for me, that's a question for Vince McMahon, right? Let's get through Saturday and see what happens" (L.A. TIMES, 7/7). In Las Vegas, Case Keefer writes White has "always been careful not to promote 'sideshow fights,' and would surely object to Lesnar vs. Hunt being categorized as such." But that is "exactly what it is, and for that, there should be no shame." Hundreds of thousands are "lining up to purchase Lesnar vs. Hunt, and they aren't doing it for the traditional thrill of the UFC." It is a "reminder that championships and superiority aren't everything when it comes to selling fights" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 7/7). Prior to Jones being pulled from the card, Cormier said of Lesnar, "Having him on the card is great. It will put more eyeballs on the fight, and it will let people see ... the highest level of mixed martial arts, and that’s how you draw new fans in” (“Speak For Yourself,” FS1, 7/6).
