Brock Lesnar branded Jon Jones 'unprofessional' after a failed drug test saw the interim light-heavyweight champion removed from UFC 200.
Lesnar, who held the heavyweight title for two years until 2010, will make his return to the Octagon on Saturday night after a near six-year absence.
And his clash with seasoned striker Mark Hunt will now headline the promotion's flagship event in Las Vegas after Jones' rematch with Daniel Cormier was scrapped.
Jones
'It’s unfortunate the state of events that happened,' he said. It's unfortunate for Daniel Cormier, I feel really bad for him.
'Guys work hard, you go through training camps, put a lot of time in, and that's the guy who really gets the short end of the stick.
'It's really unprofessional of anybody at this calibre to have something like that happen. It's unfortunate, it's unprofessional. What else do you want me to say? Merry Christmas to Brock Lesnar.'
Lesnar had been due to put himself through a light workout in front of several hundred fans at the T-Mobile Arena but he opted out.
He added: 'I've been in the business long enough - the entertainment industry, the fight game - the show still goes on.
Regardless of where I'm at on the card, the show is gonna happen.
'I'm just thankful that I got through training camp healthy and I'm here.'
Hunt did perform a brief workout in a sweat suit as he attempts to boil down to the heavyweight limit of 265lb by Friday's weigh-in.
'I have a few more kilos to lose,' he said. 'Too much cheesecake, I guess.'
The Samoan has won his last two fights - against Frank Mir and Antonio Silva - by first-round knockout but previously lost back-to-back fights against current champion Stipe Miocic and Fabricio Werdum.
'This fight is really important,' he added. 'The whole world is watching this fight, this is great for the Mark Hunt brand.
'This is real fighting and I'm looking forward to dancing with the big man on Saturday.
'A lot of people are here for Brock. I'm sorry I'm going to spoil your party for you guys.
'Beating Brock does nothing for my ranking, it does everything for the Mark Hunt brand.
'I’ve worked really hard and taken a lot of beatings to get here. I feel like I've accomplished a lot.'
And his clash with seasoned striker Mark Hunt will now headline the promotion's flagship event in Las Vegas after Jones' rematch with Daniel Cormier was scrapped.
'It’s unfortunate the state of events that happened,' he said. It's unfortunate for Daniel Cormier, I feel really bad for him.
'Guys work hard, you go through training camps, put a lot of time in, and that's the guy who really gets the short end of the stick.
'It's really unprofessional of anybody at this calibre to have something like that happen. It's unfortunate, it's unprofessional. What else do you want me to say? Merry Christmas to Brock Lesnar.'
Lesnar had been due to put himself through a light workout in front of several hundred fans at the T-Mobile Arena but he opted out.
Regardless of where I'm at on the card, the show is gonna happen.
'I'm just thankful that I got through training camp healthy and I'm here.'
Hunt did perform a brief workout in a sweat suit as he attempts to boil down to the heavyweight limit of 265lb by Friday's weigh-in.
'I have a few more kilos to lose,' he said. 'Too much cheesecake, I guess.'
The Samoan has won his last two fights - against Frank Mir and Antonio Silva - by first-round knockout but previously lost back-to-back fights against current champion Stipe Miocic and Fabricio Werdum.
'This fight is really important,' he added. 'The whole world is watching this fight, this is great for the Mark Hunt brand.
'A lot of people are here for Brock. I'm sorry I'm going to spoil your party for you guys.
'Beating Brock does nothing for my ranking, it does everything for the Mark Hunt brand.
'I’ve worked really hard and taken a lot of beatings to get here. I feel like I've accomplished a lot.'
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