UFC News 2-14: Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort Showdown Postponed to February; Jon Jones, Daniel Cornier Fined
The Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title showdown between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort will be moved to February after Weidman sustained a hairline fracture in his left hand.
Weidman, who was scheduled to defend his title against Belfort at UFC 181 on Dec. 6 in Las Vegas, has been complaining about pain his left hand since his defense against Lyoto Machida.
It was initially ruled as sprained ligament, but tests revealed on Monday that Weidman has hairline fracture and needs to be in a cast for four weeks, which will force him to stay away from contact training for at least six weeks.
"I was really sick to my stomach about the whole thing yesterday; I was really down and upset. Today, you have to realize God has a plan," Weidman said in an interview with Newsday on Tuesday. "I'm happy it's a break this whole time and it's something I can cast up and it'll heal."
Weidman, who has successfully defended his title against Machida in July and Anderson Silva in December last year, also posted photo on Instagram where he apologized to his fans and vowed to return stronger in his next fight.
UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertita told ESPN that UFC 181 fight card will push through. UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks will defend his title against Robbie Lawler in the main event of the fight card.
In other UFC news, the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced fines for light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier for their roles during a press conference last month.
ESPN reported that the NSAC fined Jones $50,000 and Cormier $9,000. Jones and Cormier will also be required to complete 40 and 20 hours of community service respectively.
"I made us all look bad as a champion," Jones said of the incident. "It was a terrible thing in a very heated moment. I've never done anything to discourage the sport. I make a very conscious effort to be a great example. It's embarrassing for me. I realize it comes with consequences and, as a man, I've come to accept them."
Jones was supposed to defend his title against Cormier on Sept. 7, but the fight was moved to Jan. 3 after the 27-year-old champion injured his leg in training.
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