It has been a pretty hectic 24 hours for Daniel Cormier.

Late last night, the UFC held and impromptu press conference to announce that Jon Jones had been removed from the UFC 200 main event for a potential USADA violation stemming from a June 16th test. Cormier spoke briefly at the press conference affirming that he would like to remain on UFC 200 if a short-notice opponent could be procured. Ultimately an opponent was found, a man by the name of Anderson Silva - the former UFC middleweight champion and arguably the greatest fighter of all time. But prior to that, Cormier went on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Thursday morning to discuss Jones's removal from 200 and where they go from here.

"We have to see how this plays out but I think in time [we will fight again]. Four times Jon and I have been scheduled to fight and we've fought once. The very first fight he pulled out of, then he beat me, then I pulled out of the fight in April, and now this. It's a snake bitten fight man. It seems as though every time we're getting close to it happening, something horrible goes wrong. So I think in time, but he has to see what happens with this. Mistake or no mistake, USADA does not play around. There will be a suspension and he will have to abide by that."

Jones is potentially facing a multi year suspension, depending on what drugs he was flagged for, the results of his B sample, and a host of other intricacies. For his part, Jones held a press conference yesterday morning where he apologized to Cormier and the fans and denied knowingly taking any banned substances. But as Cormier points out, knowingly or not, Jones was flagged for having banned substances in his system.

"It's still disappointing. Obviously the young man's hurting. We don't know exactly what he's going through but honestly that was a mistake made in there. Whether it be purposely, whether it be something they didn't know about, there was a mistake."

This mistake is the first USADA failure for Jon Jones, who has been tested eight times since July of last year, third most in the light heavyweight division behind both Cormier and Anthony Johnson (nine tests apiece); however, this is not his first outside of the cage issue for Jones. Jones's list of extra-curricular issues has been widely publicized and is the reason Jones was stripped of his title in the first place. It is also, according to Cormier, part of the reason why Jones hasn't been given the same promotional push that Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey had been getting.

"There's been a number of occasions where, for lack of a better word, [Jon] kind of let the promotion down. When that happens it's very hard to put your faith in someone like that. You see the UFC's machine go full go behind Ronda Rousey, behind Conor McGregor and those guys, they hold up their end of the bargain. It's your job to show up and fight and it's your job to always try to do the right thing.

"It's unfortunate because he's one of the most talented people that I've ever seen, and it's unfortunate because he can't get out of his own way."

Daniel Cormier will fight Anderson Silva tomorrow, July 9th at UFC 200 in a non-title, 3 round fight. You can watch the rest of the interview below.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Brave. Anderson Silva steps in to face Daniel Cormier on 2 days notice.

Tainted supplement. Jon Jones denies taking any illegal substances, apologizes to Daniel Cormier.

And NEW. Eddie Alvarez became the new UFC lightweight champion and the other results from UFC Fight Night 90.

Easy Money. Eddie Alvarez would like an easier fight, "like Conor McGregor" for his first title defense.

USADA. USADA released a statement on Jon Jones, Dana White says he was flagged for 2 substances.

EXTRA CREDIT READING

With all the things going on in the news the last few days, you don't need any more reading. Enjoy the fights instead.

MEDIA STEW

Ariel, Marc, and Shaun giving their reaction to the crazy last 2 days.

Cormier is the freaking dude. "I'll sign a release and we can just fight" is one of the manliest lines in MMA history given the context. That's the LHW champ. No question about it now.

Rashad talking about Jones vs. USADA.

Dana on Cowherd yesterday morning.

Dana says they didn't make Cormier vs. Hendo 2 because they "have other things in mind" for Hendo. Sounds like a confirmation of Hendo-Bisping 2.

Joe Rogan on Bill Simmon's TV show if that is your thing.

LISTEN UP

Bushido Talk

Ian McCall podcast.

Josh Gross Interview

TWEETS

MMA's premier troll

Ten years ago folk would've said Anderson Silva destroys Daniel Cormier in a mMa fight, since then Anderson has got way more experienced — superCalo (@superCalo) July 8, 2016

So this is a thing that happened and was hilarious.

He's coming.

This is MMA and nobody secured from defeat. Head up @RdosAnjosMMA that was a lucky punch #Brazil #imthenextontheline — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) July 8, 2016

So much Jon Jones stuff

I wonder if there's any regret taking him off the card over a press conference now? — Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) July 7, 2016

Will Brooks with the dagger.

@John_Kavanagh @MMAFighting stop crying about it and move on.... Win or learn right? — Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) July 7, 2016

Damn

Even getting a Lance Armstrong chime in.

Just so everyone realizes, taking supplements isn't a right. — Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) July 7, 2016

Damn I thought I messed up my career with my bad decisions whole you know how much money this guy has wasted https://t.co/8hbCJhZ32M — Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) July 7, 2016

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Daniel Cormier (17-1-0) vs. Anderson Silva (33-7-0); UFC 200, July 9.





TODAY IN MMA HISTORY 2006: Tim Sylvia defeated Andrei Arlovski by unanimous decision to retain the UFC heavyweight championship in a rubber match at UFC 61. Also at the event, Tito Ortiz stopped Ken Shamrock with elbows in a "controversial" outcome causing the UFC to rebook the fight for a third time at UFC Fight Night 6.5

FINAL THOUGHTS

Y'all remember when Eddie Alvarez needed a bogus decision to beat Anthony Pettis, the same Anthony Pettis that went from being an unstoppable lightweight dynamo to free falling future featherweight? Well that dude is now the UFC lightweight champion after absolutely demolishing RDA in less than a round. Lightweight is a freaking crucible and no one should be surprised if Alvarez doesn't defend his belt more than once. (After all, Khabib is coming).

Also, the championship turnover in recent years is absurd. The only champion today who was champion two years ago is Demetrius Johnson. Of the 10 champions the UFC started the year with, five of them have already lost their belts and three of them are pretty widely considered unexpected champions (Tate, Alvarez, and Bisping). All of them clearly have the talent but their title shots weren't the most celebrated because of other fighters in the division that the public thought were more deserving of a title shot (Rousey, McGregor/Ferguson/Khabib, everyone).

Basically, what I'm saying here is that Robbie Lawler better watch out.

Enjoy the fights y'all. Until Monday.

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting.