Cormier out, OSP in vs. Jones at UFC 197

[jdfranchise]

As the title suggests guys, Daniel Cormier has been forced to withdraw from the scheduled UFC 197 headline vs. Jon Jones. This is a highly anticipated rematch from their first fight in January 2015 at UFC 182, where Jones won by unanimous decision. The nature of his injury is being disclosed as a foot injury, which could push the fight back to the summer, making for an even bigger fight.

In the meantime, Jones' opponent will be Ovince St. Preux, who is coming off a February win of over Rafael Feijao to get back on the winning track after a submission loss to Glover Teixeria last fall. Jones is ranked as the number 1 contender at 205 pounds with OSP checking in at number 6 according to UFC rankings (MMAJunkie has Jones ranked 1 while OSP is ranked 8). This will also be an Interim Title fight, with the Flyweight Title fight between Demetrious Johnson and Henry Cejudo still going on as the corner headliner.

Courtesy of MMAJunkie.com

While I expect Jones to win pretty easy, don't sleep on OSP. He has the size and athletic ability to match up with Jones. So much is made of Jones' ridiculous reach, but OSP comes in with an 81 inch reach (3.5 inch difference, lowest of a Jones opponent) and knockout power. That makes him a threat.

Thoughts?

[SteveHulk]

Really disappointed... all this time, people have been worried that Jones might have to pull out (because of his arrest/troubles) - and then it turns out Cormier has pulled out instead(!). You couldn't make it up. I thought Rumble was ready to fight in case Jones couldn't... did he not want the fight?

I like the OSP fight - he's a dangerous guy - but it really shouldn't be for the interim title... same with the Aldo/McGregor fight at UFC 200 - everyone knows who the real champion is. It just seems like a marketing ploy more than anything... I suppose the interim title sounds better than an official number 1 contenders match.

[A-Rob]

OSP vs. Jon Jones might actually be interesting.

[Kollector_Kombat]

Pretty disappointed hearing about this but I read an article last week saying Cormier was barely able to walk at a Wrestling event he had attended. I was hoping this was an April fools joke but just a terrible time to announce it. Really too bad. I was looking forward to it. I like OSP but the dude has lost to Texiera ( Who Jones handled with ease.) And Ryan Bader who isn't really all that great IMO. OSP has the power and speed to maybe land a good one and possibly end it but I don't think Jones will give him the chance to. I hope it's a good fight though.

[jdfranchise]

Apr 3, 2016 0:13:11 GMT -5 SteveHulk said:

Really disappointed... all this time, people have been worried that Jones might have to pull out (because of his arrest/troubles) - and then it turns out Cormier has pulled out instead(!). You couldn't make it up. I thought Rumble was ready to fight in case Jones couldn't... did he not want the fight?

I like the OSP fight - he's a dangerous guy - but it really shouldn't be for the interim title... same with the Aldo/McGregor fight at UFC 200 - everyone knows who the real champion is. It just seems like a marketing ploy more than anything... I suppose the interim title sounds better than an official number 1 contenders match.

Rumble apparently had a dental procedure done within the past week (probably wisdom teeth) and isn't going to be able to put a mouthpiece in for another couple weeks.

It is very much a marketing ploy for the eventual Jones/Cormier rematch. I'm going to refrain from giving my thoughts on the McGregor fight at this time.

[Grumpyoldman]

I honestly thought you made a typo. I thought it read "GSP".

In any event, I wish Ovince the best of luck. It doesn't give him much time to train for Jones, but I hope it's a really good fight.