Jon Jones was set to face Daniel Cormier in main event at UFC 200
The clash was called off after light heavyweight Jones failed drugs test
Brock Lesnar, making his comeback, branded Jones 'unprofessional'
Brock Lesnar branded Jon Jones 'unprofessional' after a failed drug test saw the interim light-heavyweight champion removed from UFC 200.
Lesnar, who held the heavyweight title for two years until 2010, will make his return to the Octagon on Saturday night after a near six-year absence.
And his clash with seasoned striker Mark Hunt will now headline the promotion's flagship event in Las Vegas after Jones' rematch with Daniel Cormier was scrapped.
Brock Lesnar has branded Jon Jones 'unprofessional' after Jones' failed drugs test called off UFC 200 fight
Hunt takes part in an open work out ahead of Saturday's heavyweight clash in Las Vegas
'It’s unfortunate the state of events that happened,' he said. It's unfortunate for Daniel Cormier, I feel really bad for him.
'Guys work hard, you go through training camps, put a lot of time in, and that's the guy who really gets the short end of the stick.
'It's really unprofessional of anybody at this calibre to have something like that happen. It's unfortunate, it's unprofessional. What else do you want me to say? Merry Christmas to Brock Lesnar.'
Lesnar had been due to put himself through a light workout in front of several hundred fans at the T-Mobile Arena but he opted out.
He added: 'I've been in the business long enough - the entertainment industry, the fight game - the show still goes on. Regardless of where I'm at on the card, the show is gonna happen.
'I'm just thankful that I got through training camp healthy and I'm here.'
UFC'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON JON JONES' FAILED DRUG TEST
The UFC organization was notified tonight that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Jon Jones of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on June 16, 2016.
USADA,
the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will
handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case.
It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there
is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes
before any sanctions are imposed.
However,
because Jones was scheduled to compete against Daniel Cormier this
coming Saturday, July 9 in Las Vegas, there is insufficient time for a
full review before the scheduled bout and therefore the fight has been
removed from the fight card. As a result, the three-round heavyweight
bout between Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt will become the UFC 200 main
event.
Consistent
with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional
information or UFC statements will be provided at the appropriate time
as the process moves forward.
Ticket refunds available upon request at primary point of purchase.
Hunt did perform a brief workout in a sweat suit as he attempts to boil down to the heavyweight limit of 265lb by Friday's weigh-in.
'I have a few more kilos to lose,' he said. 'Too much cheesecake, I guess.'
The Samoan has won his last two fights - against Frank Mir and Antonio Silva - by first-round knockout but previously lost back-to-back fights against current champion Stipe Miocic and Fabricio Werdum.
'This fight is really important,' he added. 'The whole world is watching this fight, this is great for the Mark Hunt brand.
ON JONES SAGA CONTINUES...
January 6, 2015: Positive cocaine test released, enters rehab
February 18, 2015: Announced that Jones will fight Anthony Johnson at UFC 187, May 23 Las Vegas
April 26, 2015: Involved in hit and run incident
April 27, 2015: Hands himself in to police
April 28, 2015: Stripped of title, Cormier vs Johnson announced as UFC 187 main event
May 23, 2015: Cormier beats Johnson at UFC 187 to become new UFC light-heavyweight champion
September 29, 2015: Jones pleads guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, gets 18 months of supervised probation
November 24, 2015: Breaks silence for first time since arrest
January 31, 2016: Pulled over for speeding
February 5, 2016: Jones vs Cormier II announced for UFC 197 on April 23
March 27, 2016: Pulled over for drag racing
March 29, 2016: Arrested for breaching parole
April 1, 2016: Cormier out of UFC 197
April 2, 2016: Ovince Saint Preux announced as replacement for Cormier at UFC 197
April 5, 2016: Pleads not guilty, to appear in court in May
April 23, 2016: Beats Saint Preux by unanimous decision to become interim light heavyweight champion
April 27, 2016: Cormier vs Jones 2 rescheduled for UFC 200 on July 2009
July 6, 2016: Fight with Cormier is cancelled after Jones is flagged for USADA violation
'This is real fighting and I'm looking forward to dancing with the big man on Saturday.
'A lot of people are here for Brock. I'm sorry I'm going to spoil your party for you guys.
'Beating Brock does nothing for my ranking, it does everything for the Mark Hunt brand.
'I’ve worked really hard and taken a lot of beatings to get here. I feel like I've accomplished a lot.'
