Well, UFC 200 phenomenon gets wilder and wilder, although likely not for the reasons the UFC had in mind. With Jon Jones being removed from the card, it looked like the light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier would be without a fight. That is until, a certain spider called. Late Thursday night it was confirmed that at UFC 200, it will be Daniel Cormier vs. Anderson Silva.
The news was confirmed via UFC President Dana White’s Twitter, before both men appeared in front of the media at a press conference.
Firstly, White made it clear that it wasn’t just Silva who picked up the phone when Jones dropped out. Along with ‘The Spiders’ call, came one from middleweight Gegard Mousasi and legend Dan Henderson.
Gegard has a fight on UFC 200, so we’d be leaving a guy who got ready and prepared for his fight with Gegard with no opponent, which I hate,” White said. “Then Dan Henderson called and wanting the fight, which I appreciate, but we got plans for Dan.”
Plans for Dan? Hmm. I wonder if Michael Bisping has finished his celebratory bender yet.
As for Silva, it’s a ridiculously late notice fight, as he comes into the event on two days notice. As usual, any concerns or worries were far away from the Brazilian’s mind.
“I think I’m in good shape, and I don’t want Daniel or anyone else to think I’m underestimating or coming in here to try to challenge a champion,” said Silva through an interpreter. “I’m not doing any of that. I’m here to challenge myself. I’ve been training a few months, but I think I’m in a good condition to go in there and put on a fight.”
The bout will be a three round fight at light heavyweight, and Daniel Cormier’s title will not be on the line (although Silva did give an enthusiastic “Yes!” when asked if he deserved a rematch for the title following a victory).
White explained he didn’t even want to wait for a potential rematch, but Silva’s gracious acceptance of a bout at such late notice meant that the UFC President had to bow down to various requests.
“It’s a three round fight because Anderson’s coming in on short notice,” White said. “And believe me we talked about that. If Anderson comes in and would stop Cormier in the first three rounds it would be for the title. Anderson’s philosophy was “listen, if I beat Daniel Cormier, people are gonna know I’m the guy anyway” but it’s a little bit better getting that belt. We have to agree to disagree on that one.”
With the confirmation of Silva on the card, came another announcement.
Twenty-four hours ago, when the news of Jon Jones’ test failure, the UFC made the decision to promote both Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt to become the main event. After some time to digest the fallout, and with Cormier facing Silva in a three round fight, the UFC have overturned that decision, and put Lesnar and Hunt back to their co-main slot. In their stead, will be womens bantamweight champion Miesha Tate and her opponent Amanda Nunes have been announced as the headliners for UFC 200.
Fans took online to voice their confusion over the decision, with fights like Lesnar vs. Hunt and Cormier vs. Silva being much bigger in commanding fan interest. In the eyes of Dana White though, it was the correct call.
It’s been a long journey for the women in MMA. It was just five years ago that UFC President Dana White said that women would never fight in the Octagon.
“Miesha is the woman who beat the woman who beat the woman,” White said. “She’s the champ. I mean, what Miesha accomplished a few fights ago, you can’t disrespect that. Shes the main event and she deserves to be. The other title fight is an interim title fight. Miesha Tate deserves to be the main event, it’s the right thing to do.”
The UFC 200 card has now been confirmed as:
Miesha Tate vs. Amanda Nunes
Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt
Daniel Cormier vs. Anderson Silva
Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar
Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne
