Anderson Silva has stepped up to face Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 on just two day’s notice following Jon Jones failed drugs test.
The news broke yesterday that Jones had tested positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition test on June 16, and while he has the right to have a b sample tested the result led to his removal from Saturday night’s card.
So keen was DC to remain on the card that he reportedly approached UFC president Dana White to ask if there was a waiver he could sign in order to allow Jones to remain his opponent.
As reported by MMA Fighting, the bout will be a three round non-title light-heavyweight fight.
Anderson Silva has not fought since being defeated by the current UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping in February.
The Spider then went under the knife to have his gall bladder removed just seven weeks ago.
The legendary Brazilian fighter’s addition to the card brings some gloss back to a major event which was in danger of being derailed.
The promotion’s bicentennial show had already lost one headline event as Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz were pulled from the card due to a conflict between McGregor and the UFC over media obligations.
Jones removal was the second time that the headline had to be changed, with Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt pushed from co-main to solo main.
But the UFC has now pushed Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes’ women’s bantamweight title fight into the prime slot, with Lesnar and Hunt back to co-main.
Good to see the women’s bantamweight division get the respect it undoubtedly deserves, and DC still get to feature in the organisation’s biggest show to date.
