UFC strips Jones of title, Cormier reinstated as champion

Apr 26, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Glover Teixeira ducks under a kick from Jon Jones during the UFC light heavy weight championship fight at Baltimore Arena. Jones retained the light heavy weight championship by defeating Teixeria. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The UFC stripped Jon Jones of the light heavyweight championship title on Wednesday following his positive drug test and reinstated Daniel Cormier as champion.

Jones tested positive for a steroid prior to his July 29 title fight against Cormier, which he won in a third-round TKO.

The second sample from Jones's failed test also came back positive on Tuesday and the Cormier fight was subsequently ruled a "no contest" by the California State Athletic Commission.

May 23, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Daniel Cormier celebrates after defeating Anthony Johnson (not pictured) in their light heavyweight championship bout during UFC 187 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Cormier won via third round TKO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jones, 30, was previously banned for a year after failing a doping test in the run-up to a title fight against Cormier in July, 2016.

He was originally stripped of the title in 2015 following a hit-and-run incident.

As a repeat offender, he faces a suspension of up to four years.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner; Editing by ....)