Daniel Cormier apologizes to Jon Jones, UFC; sidelined 4 to 6 weeks with injury
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 04: UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier speaks to the media and fans during the UFC's Go Big launch event inside MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 4, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier released a statement Saturday afternoon, apologizing to opponent Jon Jones, UFC owners Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White and fans for withdrawing from UFC 197.
Cormier pulled out of his UFC 197 title fight against Jones on Friday night, just three weeks before the grudge match was scheduled to take place, citing a leg injury.
The former Olympian also revealed that he'll need four-to-six weeks to recover from an injury to an interosseous membrane in his left leg
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Shortly after Cormier released his statement, White announced that the UFC had found a replacement opponent for Jones in sixth-ranked light heavyweight Ovince Saint Preux.
Saint Preux, winner of three of his last four fights, will take on former champion Jones at UFC 197 on April 23 for the interim light heavyweight title.