UFC 206 had been criticized for its lack of star power, but at least it had a championship headlining act to fall back on. But that’s no longer the case as light-heavyweight titleholder Daniel Cormier was forced to withdraw from the event with a groin injury.
Cormier (18-1) was scheduled to defend his 205-pound title in a rematch against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. The fight was originally supposed to take place Nov. 12 at UFC 205 in New York, but Cormier wanted a later fight date because he was recovering from a procedure he had done on his knee.
UFC 206 takes place Dec. 10 in Toronto.
This is the second time in 2016 that Cormier has withdrawn from a title defence. He was forced out of a title unification bout with Jon Jones back at UFC 197 in April. Jones fought Ovince Saint Preux instead at the event (winning a five-round decision) and Cormier-Jones was scheduled to headline July’s UFC 200. Unfortunately for fight fans, Jones failed a drug test and was suspended so Cormier picked up a unanimous decision victory over short-notice opponent Anderson Silva at the event. Jones’ subsequent suspension paved the way for an anticipated Cormier-Johnson rematch.
The two previously fought for the vacant 205-pound title back at UFC 187 last May. Cormier submitted Johnson with a rear-naked choke in the third round to win the belt.
UFC 206’s co-main event, a featherweight showdown between rising star Max Holloway and former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis, was promoted to the main event.
Donald Cerrone vs. Matt Brown was recently added to the Air Canada Centre event. Cerrone was set to take on Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 205 but that fight never materialized because Gastelum failed to make weight. Rashad Evans vs. Tim Kennedy, also scheduled to take place at UFC 205, was bumped to UFC 206 after Evans was not given clearance to compete by New York’s athletic commission. However, the Ontario Athletic Commission followed in New York’s footsteps and didn’t give Evans clearance, so the UFC is currently seeking an opponent for Kennedy. Ariel Helwani reported the UFC was hoping to have Kennedy fight Gastelum in a middleweight contest.
