Friday morning, news surfaced that UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier had been forced to withdraw from his highly anticipated UFC 206 showdown with Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson on December 10th in Toronto, Canada.
The fight was set to be a rematch from UFC 187 in 2015, where Cormier defeated Johnson to win the vacant light heavyweight championship. Johnson was initially slated to fight Jon Jones on the card, however Jones was involved in an infamous hit-and-run incident that saw him suspended and stripped of the title, ultimately leading the UFC to booking Cormier vs. Johnson for the vacant light heavyweight championship.
With the rematch now off, Twitter went wild with reactions to the cancellation. Below are a compilation of reactions from the MMA community regarding Cormier’s withdrawal:
Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace.
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) November 25, 2016
I wish nothing but the best for DC and I hope you have a full recovery champ…
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) November 25, 2016
Unfortunately @ufc light heavyweight champ @dc_mma is injured and off the Toronto #ufc206 card.… https://t.co/LnB90ONHP7
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) November 25, 2016
So I hear Rumble needs a new opponent…
— Sam Alvey (@smilensam) November 25, 2016
Lot of fans wondering if Ryan Bader could step in for Daniel Cormier v. Rumble Johnson. Six days removed from a fight, 15 days out. Tough.
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) November 25, 2016
You telling me an AKA guy is injured?
— Coach Edmund (@CoachEdmund) November 25, 2016
@arielhelwani rumble vs bader = bader rich 💰 @ryanbader
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) November 25, 2016
Lame…. hope he recovers soon. Who do you think replaces him? #ufc #ufc206 https://t.co/r6gcS9UImT
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) November 25, 2016
Not DC!!! #ufc206 https://t.co/xFhtSKLVyy
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) November 25, 2016
5 rounder? No problem @Ufc @danawhite @seanshelby
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) November 25, 2016
Hmmm….@danawhite
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) November 25, 2016
@Anthony_Rumble I left a message for you on ur phone. I apologize. We Will get to rock and roll bruh. Once again my apologies. DC
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 25, 2016