Light heavyweight fighter Jon Jones kicks Daniel Cormier during their UFC 182 fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday, Jan. 2, 2014.
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015 | 6:20 p.m.
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Outlining a new, extensive drug-testing protocol wasn’t enough to keep the UFC brass from matchmaking Wednesday.
Contracts were signed for a pair of highly anticipated title fights that will take place on the annual Memorial Day weekend card in Las Vegas, as announced on Fox Sports 1’s “UFC Tonight” show. Light heavyweight king Jon Jones will look for his ninth consecutive title defense, which would tie Georges St. Pierre for the second-most all-time, against Anthony Johnson in the main event of UFC 187 on May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Middleweight champion Chris Weidman and top contender Vitor Belfort will also tangle that night to settle their much-delayed bout. The UFC additionally announced a lightweight title eliminator between Donald Cerrone and Khabib Nurmagomedov for the mega-event.
It’s one of two pay-per-views boasting multiple championship fights in Las Vegas within a six-week period. UFC 189 is set as the annual International Fight Week card with a July 11 date at MGM.
As previously announced, a featherweight title fight between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor headlines the evening. A welterweight championship meeting between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald will serve as direct support, UFC President Dana White revealed earlier in the day.
It’s unprecedented for the promotion to release information on three championship bouts in one day. Jones will be making his first appearance since testing positive for cocaine before defeating Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 182.
Weidman was expected to face Belfort in his third title defense next week at UFC 184 in Los Angeles, but pulled out with torn cartilage in his ribs. Weidman vs. Belfort was initially announced more than a year ago after the champion beat Anderson Silva for the second time.
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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