The biggest fighter in the UFC, featherweight champion Conor McGregor, was supposed to headline what is widely believed will the biggest card in the sport’s history. The fight was a rematch with lightweight Nate Diaz, who beat ‘Notorious’ at welterweight.
However, McGregor was pulled from the card in a dispute over media duties. The UFC reached out to a variety of figures, including semi-retired former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. However, nothing spectacular materialized.
UFC 197 was supposed to be headlined by former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones vs. new champion Daniel Cormier, who won the title after Jones was stripped for his involvement in a hit and run car accident that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm. However, Cormier injured his leg, and Jones instead fought Ovince Saint Preux, for an interim belt.
Jones won in an underwhelming fashion, and declined the wear the new, interim belt in the Octagon. A unification fight was a natural for UFC 200, but there were fears that Jones sustained a broken foot. The fighter tweeted last night that he was already walking around on it happily, so the UFC made it official.
The rivalry continues!!!! @dc_mma vs @JonnyBones will headline #UFC200 July 9th!! https://t.co/hVKGnvNGQV pic.twitter.com/qwKKokpDYo
— UFC (@ufc) April 27, 2016
THE main event for #UFC200: @DC_MMA vs @JonnyBones II
Here. We. Go. 👊https://t.co/vvnbpPFA24— UFC (@ufc) April 27, 2016
It was widely believed that Jones would win the rematch. However, given his showing at UFC 197, the fight has become more intriguing.
UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 will be held on July 9, 2016 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card to date is:
Daniel Cormier (c) vs. Jon Jones (ic)
Miesha Tate (c) vs. Amanda Nunes
José Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar
Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne
Johny Hendricks vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson
Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Lauzon
Sage Northcutt vs. Enrique MarÃn
Takanori Gomi vs. Jim Miller
Cat Zingano vs. Julianna Peña
