The highly anticipated showdown between Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort will be delayed, while Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were fined for roles in a previous brawl, UFC schedule news revealed.
Weidman, who rose to stardom with his two straight victories against UFC superstar Anderson Silva, was supposed to defend his middleweight title against Belfort at UFC 181 on December 6 in Las Vegas.
However, Weidman, who successfully defended the title against Lyoto Machida in July, sustained a hairline fracture in his left hand, which would require him to be in a cast four weeks and will not be allowed to do contact training for at least six weeks.
Ray Longo, Weidman's coach, said in a UFC schedule interview on MMA Fighting that his fighter has been complaining about discomfort in his left hand even before his fight against Machida.
Weidman underwent several tests on Monday and doctors confirmed the fracture, which reportedly looked like an old injury. Longo said that Weidman might have faced Machida with a fractured hand.
"Everything happens for a reason," Longo said. "We're going to get Chris healthy and then we're going to steamroll this guy. Believe me."
According to reports, the Weidman-Belfort fight will be moved to February. UFC also announced that the welterweight title showdown between defending champion Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will be the main event at UFC 181 that will be staged at Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Meanwhile, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were both fined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after engaging in an ugly brawl during a press conference last month.
According to a UFC schedule news on ESPN, Jones was fined $50,000 and will perform 40 hours of community service, while Cormier will pay $9,000 and will complete 20 hours of community service.
Jones, who admitted that he regretted his action, also lost a six-figure sponsorship deal with Nike for his role in the altercation inside the lobby of the famous MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
"I made us all look bad as a champion," Jones said. "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."
