A highly anticipated light heavyweight title rematch between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones at UFC 197 later this month is off, as Cormier has been forced to pull out because of a leg injury.
Sources confirmed the development to ESPN.com on Friday, following an initial report by BJPenn.com. UFC officials have not yet commented on Cormier's withdrawal or indicated whether Jones will remain on the April 23 card in Las Vegas.
Cormier (17-1) was scheduled to make his second title defense. He lost to Jones in a prior meeting at UFC 182 in January 2015, but won the title in his very next fight after Jones was stripped of the 205-pound belt because of disciplinary reasons.
Cormier did not immediately return requests for comment.
The UFC 197 headliner was put in jeopardy earlier this week, when Jones (21-1) was arrested Tuesday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for violating his probation. Jones is currently under probation as part of a plea agreement for a felony hit-and-run charge last year. However, on Thursday, he was cleared to travel to Las Vegas and remain in the fight after appearing before a judge.
Currently, a flyweight championship bout between Demetrious Johnson (23-2-1) and Henry Cejudo (10-0) is slated as the UFC 197 co-main event. The pay-per-view card will take place at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Sources confirmed the development to ESPN.com on Friday, following an initial report by BJPenn.com. UFC officials have not yet commented on Cormier's withdrawal or indicated whether Jones will remain on the April 23 card in Las Vegas.
Cormier (17-1) was scheduled to make his second title defense. He lost to Jones in a prior meeting at UFC 182 in January 2015, but won the title in his very next fight after Jones was stripped of the 205-pound belt because of disciplinary reasons.
Cormier did not immediately return requests for comment.
The UFC 197 headliner was put in jeopardy earlier this week, when Jones (21-1) was arrested Tuesday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for violating his probation. Jones is currently under probation as part of a plea agreement for a felony hit-and-run charge last year. However, on Thursday, he was cleared to travel to Las Vegas and remain in the fight after appearing before a judge.
Currently, a flyweight championship bout between Demetrious Johnson (23-2-1) and Henry Cejudo (10-0) is slated as the UFC 197 co-main event. The pay-per-view card will take place at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
