UFC 200 Press Conference: Jon Jones' Ejection Is Most Damaging Main Event Change In MMA History

[joseephuss]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brianma...ain-event-change-in-mma-history/#6ec9d64a50af


UFC 200 Press Conference: Jon Jones' Ejection Is Most Damaging Main Event Change In MMA History

Late on Wednesday night, we learned UFC interim light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones was pulled from the UFC 200 card due to violating USADA’s anti-doping policy. Jones was scheduled to face rival and current UFC 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier in a highly anticipated rematch.

SportTV Globo reported Brazilian middleweight legend Anderson Silva would step in for Jones to face Cormier, but that hasn’t been confirmed. Even if it is true, the damage is already done.

In a press conference on Thursday morning, an emotional Jones denied knowingly taking any substance that would give him an advantage

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

This is a mess. Jones vs Cormier has really been the only fight, besides Rousey-Holms, i've really wanted to watch. I fear the Cormier Silva matchup is going to be a blood bath now. Silva didn't look good last time I saw him fight.

 

[basstapp]

This is a mess. Jones vs Cormier has really been the only fight, besides Rousey-Holms, i've really wanted to watch. I fear the Cormier Silva matchup is going to be a blood bath now. Silva didn't look good last time I saw him fight.

I think the Jose Aldo vs Edgar will be a great fight - Brock vs Hunt will be a knockout or a bloodbath, Valesques vs Browne & Hendricks will be fun to watch. I think even with Jones gone this is a killer card.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The thing that really gets my goat is that they new about this a month ago and still, they sold the card with Jones on it. That should be illegal. That aint right.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I think the Jose Aldo vs Edgar will be a great fight - Brock vs Hunt will be a knockout or a bloodbath, Valesques vs Browne & Hendricks will be fun to watch. I think even with Jones gone this is a killer card.

You are right there are still some interesting fights just not quite up to the same level of anticipation as the Jones fight would have been.

 

[Vero_F250]

The thing that really gets my goat is that they new about this a month ago and still, they sold the card with Jones on it. That should be illegal. That aint right.

I hadn't read that. It was his June 16th blood test that came up positive but they said it takes weeks for the results. Which is why they do it that far out. Then one more before the fight (I believe that is the one that showed Diaz had marijuana in his system).

 

[BAZ]

Silva is two months removed from gallbladder surgery and apparently was even in proper training. I'm in fear of his life.

 

[tyke1doe]

Silva is going to get killed.

 

[Risen Star]

The thing that really gets my goat is that they new about this a month ago and still, they sold the card with Jones on it. That should be illegal. That aint right.

They didn't know about it until we all knew about it. He was tested by USADA on June 16th. The UFC has nothing to do with it. They wait for the results just like the fighter and it's said to take 3-4 weeks.

 

[Risen Star]

This is Dana's ego at work here and it's made a joke of this historic card.

McGregor is the biggest star on the roster by a country mile. He should be main eventing this card. There is no other. But Dana strong armed him to show him who is boss. Then turned to the most unreliable fighter on his roster to step in and we get what we've got now. An absolute joke of a main event on the biggest card in their history.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Sucks. Jones is my favorite fighter. It's going to suck not watching him fight for 2 years. He is his own worst enemy. Just hope he wasn't dumb like a lot of NFL players and paid off his house!

 

[tyke1doe]

Sucks. Jones is my favorite fighter. It's going to suck not watching him fight for 2 years. He is his own worst enemy. Just hope he wasn't dumb like a lot of NFL players and paid off his house!

Are you saying you hope he wasn't dumb by NOT paying off his house or that he is dumb by paying off his house?

 

[StarBoyz83]

Are you saying you hope he wasn't dumb by NOT paying off his house or that he is dumb by paying off his house?

Hope he paid off his house.

 

[tyke1doe]

Hope he paid off his house.

Thanks.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Silva is going to get killed.

Hardly.

He did get held down, obviously, but that's to be expected given that he hasn't even been cleared to do anything until 2 days prior to the fight after having surgery.

It was an okay job by DC to get the W. It wasn't a great fight though, in all honesty.


Lesnar looked pretty good for the most part. That was a good fight to see.


Cain destroyed Travis Brown. That was just a beating. Brown didn't belong in there with Cain.


Edgar vs. Aldo was good...if you like the defensive, counter, style of Aldo. That style doesn't bother me, as long as the person using it does land punches and such and Aldo did that. A good victory for him.


Main event was a joke. Tate got absolutely demolished. It's sad seeing the title being hot potatoed around now that Rousey hasn't been there to hold the title.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Fights ended up being pretty meh. Mostly boring.

 

[tyke1doe]

Hardly.

I was wrong. Either DC isn't as good as I thought he was or the concept of preparing for a particular opponent really has merit as DC was preparing for Jones and not Silva and that threw him off for this fight.

Lesnar looked pretty good for the most part. That was a good fight to see.

Hunt is a has-been. The heavyweight division needs an infusion of talent. Lesnar is all beef, that's about it. He fights a legitimate heavyweight with some skills on his feet and some semblance of a ground game, he'll get his lunch eaten.

Cain destroyed Travis Brown. That was just a beating. Brown didn't belong in there with Cain.

A lot of these TUF guys can't stand up to the more "serious" MMA guys.

Edgar vs. Aldo was good...if you like the defensive, counter, style of Aldo. That style doesn't bother me, as long as the person using it does land punches and such and Aldo did that. A good victory for him.

I was pulling for Edgar. He's about the only guy who is legitimately fighting in his weight class. Aldo can fight at a higher weight class - if his size wasn't a result of PEDs.
I know Aldo called out McGregor, but I'd let Aldo stew about a year or two before I'd grant him a rematch.

Main event was a joke. Tate got absolutely demolished. It's sad seeing the title being hot potatoed around now that Rousey hasn't been there to hold the title.

My sentiments exactly. There's not really a dominant competitor in the women's MMA ranks except for RR. But she got so thoroughly demolished by Holly Holm that her bluster has been tarnished a bit. I don't think she'll be seen as invincible, though I don't think any of the other women on the scene could take her. I was so disappointed in Tate. She gets the belt then can't even hold on to it for one match. SMH.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

This is Dana's ego at work here and it's made a joke of this historic card.

McGregor is the biggest star on the roster by a country mile. He should be main eventing this card. There is no other. But Dana strong armed him to show him who is boss. Then turned to the most unreliable fighter on his roster to step in and we get what we've got now. An absolute joke of a main event on the biggest card in their history.

I love it because both of them need their egos put in check.

McGregor without a doubt needs his ego in check when he thinks he does not have to do what others and Dana for a multitude of reasons including barring press that don't paint him or his company in a positive light.

So I think McGregor learned his lesson... for now and these numbers will teach Dana ...for now.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I was wrong. Either DC isn't as good as I thought he was or the concept of preparing for a particular opponent really has merit as DC was preparing for Jones and not Silva and that threw him off for this fight.



Hunt is a has-been. The heavyweight division needs an infusion of talent. Lesnar is all beef, that's about it. He fights a legitimate heavyweight with some skills on his feet and some semblance of a ground game, he'll get his lunch eaten.



A lot of these TUF guys can't stand up to the more "serious" MMA guys.



I was pulling for Edgar. He's about the only guy who is legitimately fighting in his weight class. Aldo can fight at a higher weight class - if his size wasn't a result of PEDs.
I know Aldo called out McGregor, but I'd let Aldo stew about a year or two before I'd grant him a rematch.



My sentiments exactly. There's not really a dominant competitor in the women's MMA ranks except for RR. But she got so thoroughly demolished by Holly Holm that her bluster has been tarnished a bit. I don't think she'll be seen as invincible, though I don't think any of the other women on the scene could take her. I was so disappointed in Tate. She gets the belt then can't even hold on to it for one match. SMH.

I think there is a lot to be said for the fact that all the desire and fire for DC was just taken out of the fight because it wasn't Jones. I think that had a whole lot to do with it. Preparing all that time to fight a guy you absolutely loathe only to have it pulled out from under you a couple days before the fight. That had to suck.


Hunt is older and not premiere but he has very heavy hands. He isn't some joe nobody on his feet. Now I do agree that someone like Cain could probably still beat Lesnar pretty soundly but I'd like to actually see it regardless. I would like to see Lesnar fight like Cain or Alastair when Lesnar is healthy and not sick and completely unable to train.

I believe Lesnar's size, and speed, when healthy and strength is difficult for them all to handle because if he gets you down you can't really do anything to get him off you.


I wanted Edgar to win as well. I am right there with you.

 

[tyke1doe]

Hunt is older and not premiere but he has very heavy hands. He isn't some joe nobody on his feet. Now I do agree that someone like Cain could probably still beat Lesnar pretty soundly but I'd like to actually see it regardless. I would like to see Lesnar fight like Cain or Alastair when Lesnar is healthy and not sick and completely unable to train.

I believe Lesnar's size, and speed, when healthy and strength is difficult for them all to handle because if he gets you down you can't really do anything to get him off you.

I hope Lesnar has improved his striking because if he gets in the ring with a fighter who has good boxing skills and take down defense, he's toast. He "turtles" when bombarded by punches, the mark of an inexperienced boxer or someone not accustomed to standing in there and taking a punch.

But I agree with you, if he gets his mitts on you and takes you to the ground, it would be like trying to extricate yourself from underneath a mountain.