Cormier doesn't 'care' if Jones returns, will defend title against winner of Rumble-Teixeira

Perhaps Daniel Cormier was never meant to avenge his loss to Jon Jones. 'Bones' won in a competitive, but dominant five-round fight at UFC 182 but was removed from their highly anticipated rematch UFC 200 after failing a random, out-of-competition drug test conducted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency

'DC' was devasted with the news but soldiered on to beat late replacement and former middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a three-round, non-title fight.

Cormier says that Jones is firmly in the rear-view mirror, with his focus now on the winner of Anthony Johnson vs. Glover Teixeira at UFC 202.

Cormier: I'm going to fight the winner of Teixeira vs. Johnson. I don't care if Jon Jones comes back. I'm not going to reward him.

— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) July 28, 2016

Jones, who has established himself as one of the sport's most controversial figures, could face a two-year suspension and will face disciplinary hearings with the Nevada Athletic Commission and USADA.

Cormier seized the vacant 205-pound title after Jones was suspended for a hit-and-run incident in 2015. Since then, Cormier went on to defend the belt against Alexander Gustafsson and solidify himself as a top pound-for-pound champion.

The number one contender's bout between Johnson and Teixeira takes place in the co-main event of UFC 202, which will see Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor square off in the main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20.