UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is ready to move past the Jon Jones chapter of his career.
After the rematch scheduled for UFC 200 in July fell through at the final moment because Jones was flagged for a potential USADA drug violation, he was slapped with a temporary suspension and faces up to a two-year ban.
Despite that, UFC president Dana White has indicated Jones is still the interim champion — a title he won after returning from a six-month reception he received for being involved in a hit-and-run that left a pregnant woman injured.
Not only that, White has said Jones could fight Anthony Johnson for the interim title to determine the No. 1 contender for Cormier’s crown.
That has the current champion livid.
“Now one thing I completely disagree with, completely – and I don’t care who hears it – why in the hell would Jon still be the interim champion? That makes no sense. That makes absolutely no sense,” Cormier said, according to MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew. “They should not be fighting for an interim championship. That makes no sense at all. I don’t even know why he would still be the interim champion. His ass was disqualified. Take that freakin’ belt off of him. That’s stupid.
“I hope to God Dana misspoke, because that makes absolutely no sense. They aren’t fighting for some interim title if they fight. They can fight in the main event because it’s a big fight but it’s a fun fight. If they fight, they fight to determine the number one contender it’s not some interim championship fight. That makes no sense at all … You’d have an interim champion defending the interim championship while the actual champion is actually still there. That makes no sense whatsoever.”
It is easy to understand Cormier’s frustration.
He has tried to move on with his career and he has beat anyone the UFC has put in front of him since the first Jones fight. Jones, meanwhile, continues to derail and hurt his own career and he somehow remains a “champion” in the company.
Sure, it all comes down to money with matchmaking, but if Jones does end up returning to the cage soon and avoids a lengthy lay-off, let’s hope it’s without the interim title around his waist.
Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!
