Since Yoel Romero is likely out of the title picture for the foreseeable future after a failed out-of-competition drug test, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza should take his position as number-one contender in the UFC's 185-pound division and face champion Luke Rockhold next, says Souza's manager Gilberto Faria.
"Any way it goes, Jacare is going to be back on the list for a title contender," Faria told MMA Junkie. "We're going to wait to see what else comes out. We want Luke Rockhold as a possibility for an upcoming fight for Jacare."
Souza fought Romero in a title eliminator at UFC 194 in December and lost a close and debated split-decision. Yesterday, the UFC officially announced that the "U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Yoel Romero of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection". According to the press release, USADA will handle "the results management and appropriate adjudication".
While no more details on the type of the violation have surfaced yet, is very likely that the Cuban Olympic wrestler is facing a suspension of at least a year. With seven straight wins inside the Octagon, Romero has positioned himself as the next contender for the middleweight title. A spot, that should now belong to Jacare, says his manager.
"He's back on the title run," said Faria. "If Luke Rockhold is looking for an opponent, Jacare is on the list now. [...] We'll be ready to fight April. The two names we're looking at right now are Luke Rockhold or (Chris) Weidman."