After all the nonsense that's gone on over the past week or so, this is where it comes to an end. On Good Morning America. If you've even bothered holding a passing interest in all the 'will McGregor be on the card' carry on, the irony of that setting is surely not lost on you.
The Fertitta's and Dana White were back into a corner and no one comes out of this as a winner. The official announcement of who was going to replace McGregor vs Diaz at UFC 200 was supposed to come at a press conference at Madison Square Garden later on Wednesday but given that the UFC was 'taking over' Good Morning America today, they decided to do it there. (For the purposes of clarity, Tim and Suzie were nowhere to be found)
The were doubts about the medical availability of both fighters but the rematch of Jon Jones against Daniel Cormier is now definitively happening and it's going to headline the showpiece event on July 9th.
The rivalry continues!!!! @dc_mma vs @JonnyBones will headline #UFC200 July 9th!! https://t.co/hVKGnvNGQV pic.twitter.com/qwKKokpDYo
— UFC (@ufc) April 27, 2016
So that's that. Some might say McGregor did what he had to, others will say he shot himself in the foot but for whatever reason, what should have been the UFC's crowning achievement in 2016 will take place without McGregor. According to Dana White 201, 202 or 203, is very much a possibility but for now, fans will simply have to sit back enjoy Jones and Cormier going to war and wonder what might have been.
It must also be said that, for all the hassle that's gone on getting a main event together, it's worth remembering that there's still the 'minds will be blown' co-main event that's yet to be announced.
Updated UFC 200 card:
Daniel Cormier (c) vs. Jon Jones - Light Heavyweight
José Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar - Featherweight
Miesha Tate (c) vs. Amanda Nunes - Women's Bantamweight
Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne - Heavyweight
Johny Hendricks vs. Kelvin Gastelum - Welterweight
Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson - Middleweight
Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Lauzon - Lightweight
Sage Northcutt vs. Enrique Marín - Lightweight
Takanori Gomi vs. Jim Miller - Lightweight
Cat Zingano vs. Julianna Peña - Women's Bantamweight
