BARRING ANY UNEXPECTED hiccups, Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones will finally renew their rivalry later this month in Anaheim, California.
Two and a half years since he lost to Jones via unanimous decision, Cormier will defend the UFC light-heavyweight title against the former champion in the main event at UFC 214 on 29 July.
Jones’ life spiralled out of control after his January 2015 victory over Cormier.
The 29-year-old, who was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in May 2012, was stripped of his title in April 2015 following his involvement in a hit-and-run incident.
He was due to attempt to regain his belt in a rematch with Cormier in July of last year, but a day before the fight it emerged that Jones had tested positive for two banned substances – hydroxyclomiphene and letrozale metabolite.
Although the United States Anti-Doping Agency accepted Jones’ defence that he had unknowingly taken a contaminated product, he was still handed the maximum suspension of 12 months.
That ban has now expired and, in an epic trailer put together by the UFC for his upcoming rematch with Cormier, Jones — who has previously been ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC — says he intends to get his life back on track.
The trailer is also soundtracked by Irish artist Hozier’s track ‘Arsonist’s Lullabye’.
The meeting of Cormier and Jones is just one of three title fights set to take place at UFC 214.
Tyron Woodley will defend the welterweight belt against Demian Maia, while Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino and Tonya Evinger will clash for the vacant women’s featherweight title.
