Jon Jones stripped of UFC light-heavyweight title after one-year ban
UFC has stripped Jon Jones his light heavyweight title for the second time in two years, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
Jones, 29, was banned for one year by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency after failing a drug test before his fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC 200. He is eligible to return in July 2017.
“It doesn't make sense,” UFC president Dana White told ESPN's 5ive Rounds podcast. “He was the interim champion because he should have been fighting for the title [in April]. We gave him this, 'You were supposed to fight for the title. Here it is.”
Jones held the interim title belt from his victory over Ocince St. Preux at UFC 197.
The decision to strip his title in April 2015 was due to his arrest and role in a hit and run. Cormier won the vacant title by defeating Anthony Johnson.