Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson placed atop UFC 206 in Toronto as Georges St-Pierre waits
Instead of “The Return,” it’s “The Rematch.”
The UFC announced that light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier’s second fight with hard-punching challenger Anthony Johnson will take place at UFC 206 on Dec. 10 in Toronto.
The card at Air Canada Centre, home of the NHL’S Toronto Maple Leafs and NBA’s Toronto Raptors, was seen as a natural return spot for former long-reigning welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre of Canada.
St-Pierre, 35, told the Canadian Press on Wednesday he was forbidden to talk details but “we might have some news soon.”
Middleweight champion Michael Bisping, who makes his first title defense Saturday in Manchester, England, against Temecula’s Dan Henderson, has said he’d like to fight St-Pierre next at UFC 206.
St-Pierre hasn’t fought in the UFC in three years, after surviving a rugged test against challenger Johny Hendricks. St-Pierre has spent time training in the past year at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
For Cormier (18-1), the rematch with Johnson (22-5) revisits their May 23, 2015, bout in which Johnson dropped Cormier with a punch before ultimately being forced to submit by the former Olympic wrestler.
Johnson has rallied with three consecutive knockout wins and is the No. 1-ranked contender.
Cormier, of San Jose, had his July date with former champion Jon Jones scrapped when Jones failed a test for a banned substance.
Jones was due before the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Monday to determine his penalty, but the fighter’s representatives requested a continuance.
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