UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier’s leg injury will not require surgery, and he could be back in the cage by August or September, according to a report from Dave Meltzer at MMAFighting.com.
Cormier this weekend was forced out of his UFC 197 rematch with Jon Jones on April 23 due to a “complete middle substance rupture of the interosseous membrane from the fibula,” which stabilizes the leg and separates front leg muscles from the back. Per the report, doctors expect the injury to heal on its own, perhaps earlier than the projected four to eight week time frame, and there shouldn’t be any permanent damage.
With Cormier out, the UFC booked Jones this weekend in a fight against Ovince St. Preux, which will be for an Interim Light Heavyweight Title.
Penick’s Analysis: The good news is that a Jones win on April 23 keeps this fight with Cormier in line in short order, and gives the August or September slate a major headlining fight. The UFC needs to save something for that run of events even as they try to stack UFC 200, so if this stays together for that time frame they should be quite happy. Further, if Jones wins on April 23, and then beats Cormier in August, he could still turn around for a fight in New York if they run in November or December.
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