Jones-Cormier II Planned for UFC 214

The rematch that has been two years in the making is now being scheduled once again. Light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and former champion Jon Jones are reportedly targeted to fight at UFC 214 on July 29th in Anaheim, California.

MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani reported that Jones, who has been serving a year-long suspension for a positive drug test, will jump right into his toughest possible matchup and get an immediate title shot against Cormier.

Last week, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Cormier would be defending his belt at UFC 214. The only question was who his challenger would be: White said Jones could get the immediate title shot if he wanted it, but if he decided to take a tune-up fight first then the title shot would go to streaking contender Jimi Manuwa.

In the end, Jones and his camp must have decided that they didn’t need one fight to shake off the rust of another long layoff, as he will look to regain the belt he never lost in the cage in July.

Jones (22-1) last fought in April of 2016, where he defeated Ovince Saint Preux by unanimous decision. He had been set to fight Cormier in that bout, but Cormier withdrew due to injury. Then the rematch was set for UFC 200 in July of 2016, but Jones was pulled two days prior to the event when the results of his failed drug test came out.

It is unclear whether or not the light-heavyweight title rematch will be the main event of UFC 214, as White has stated recently that he does not trust Jones to headline an event yet.