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Daniel Cormier to meet Jon Jones in main event of UFC 200 on July 9

There was no surprise on Wednesday when the UFC announced on "Good Morning America" that the main event of UFC 200 will be a rematch between champion Daniel Cormier and interim champion Jon Jones for the light heavyweight belt on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Jones, then the outright champion, routed Cormier in the main event of UFC 182 on Jan. 3, 2015, in Las Vegas, taking a lopsided unanimous decision. But Jones had a series of legal problems after that and he was stripped of his title in April 2015 when he was involved in a hit-and-run traffic accident in Albuquerque, N.M., where he trains.

Cormier won the vacant title in his absence, submitting Anthony "Rumble" Johnson in the second round of UFC 187 on May 23 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The bout replaces Conor McGregor-Nate Diaz II, which was to be the main event until the UFC yanked it when McGregor balked at participating in promotional activities.

UFC light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier. (Photo by Mike Roach/Getty Images)
UFC light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier. (Photo by Mike Roach/Getty Images)

The Jones-Cormier rematch was originally scheduled for UFC 197 on April 23 in Las Vegas, but Cormier injured his left leg in training and had to pull out. Jones then fought Ovince Saint Preux for the interim title and won a unanimous decision.

When Cormier's physician cleared him on Monday, the fight was all but official.

The two have a contentious history and have had to be separated numerous times. They got into a brawl in the lobby of the MGM Grand in September 2014, leading to both being punished by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Their match is the third title fight on the show. Frankie Edgar will meet Jose Aldo in a rematch of a 2013 bout for the interim featherweight title. Miesha Tate willl also defend the women's bantamweight belt against Amanda Nunes.

A non-title heavyweight bout between ex-champion Cain Velasquez and Travis Browne is also slated.

UFC president Dana White has said he wants to add Diaz to the card, but Diaz said at a news conference in Las Vegas that he doesn't want to fight if it is not against McGregor.