There have been two somewhat contradictory trains of thought among mixed martial arts fans since last week’s announcement that Daniel Cormier has been restored to UFC light heavyweight champion status.
The first is that the move, on paper, makes sense. Jones’ UFC 214 title victory over Cormier on July 29 was overturned to a no-contest by the California State Athletic Commission in the wake of Jones’ failed drug test, and champions don’t lose their titles via no-contest.
The second is that, no matter how technically accurate the idea of restoring Cormier to the title might be, nothing erases the visual of Jones head-kicking Cormier for the initial victory on July 29 in Anaheim.