Cormier reinstated as UFC champ after Jones’ win overturned to no-contest

MANILA, Philippines – The UFC has reinstated Daniel Cormier as the light heavyweight champion after the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) overturned Jon Jones’ 3rd round TKO victory in July to a no-contest. 

The decision was made after a drug test revealed that Jones had the steroid Turinabol in his system during the UFC 214 fight on July 29. The “B sample” result confirmed the initial findings.

CSAC executive officer Andy Foster confirmed the development to MMA Fighting on Wednesday, September 13 (Thursday Manila time).

BREAKING: Daniel Cormier says Dana White will reinstate him as UFC light heavyweight champion! Thoughts? https://t.co/Ai6eOUAh07

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) September 14, 2017

“I talked to [Foster] and was like, ‘I lost. I lost the fight,'” Cormier said in an interview on UFC Tonight. 

“As a competitor, that’s how I felt. Dana White (UFC president) called me today and said, ‘If it’s a no-contest, then the fight didn’t happen.” 

“[Jones] disqualified himself by taking the steroid before the fight so it didn’t happen. Now I get the belt back, which is the right thing to do. I’m not only saying that because it’s me. It’s the right thing to do. You don’t cheat the sport, you don’t cheat the fans, you don’t cheat me,” he added in the guesting.

Per reports, Jones’ camp has denied that the fighter took the steroid ‘intentionally.’ He had already faced a one-year suspension after testing positive for two banned substances (Letrozol and clomiphene) July last year, and was not able to participate in the title fight versus Cormier scheduled for UFC 200. – Rappler.com