When you bring up some of the best and most memorable rivalries in UFC history, none seem more genuine, entertaining and personal than Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.
They have had their issues for years, and the situation might have been completely different had Bones kept his personal life on track.
RIVALRY
Instead, those issues caught up with him – including an anti-doping violation from USADA which gave him a one-year suspension – and DC took full advantage of that.
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He’s the light heavyweight champion and Jones can finally return to the Octagon next Sunday to regain the championship he never lost.
Every opportunity they have had, they have verbally abused each other like never before and you can bet that they will switch it up a level as we head into fight week.
This week, Jones revealed that he’s actually willing to bury the hatchet and end his bitter rivalry with Cormier, but only if the latter admits – when he loses at UFC 214 in Anaheim, California – that Jones is the better fighter.
While it would be strange to see these two warriors get along after growing accustomed to them being at each other’s throats, Cormier has now revealed that he and Jones will always have issues moving forward.
WILL IT END?
It was brought up during the UFC on Fox 25 event in Long Island, which saw Chris Weidman finally pick up a win since 2015 when he submitted Kelvin Gastelum in the main event.
During the interview, both men were asked whether they will put their issues aside after the mega event next Sunday which also features Cris Cyborg and Tyron Woodley, and Jones was straight to the point.
According to Bloody Elbow, he said: “F**k DC.”
Short and sweet – but Cormier expanded on his answer by referring to his rival as a punk but admitted he’s a great fighter.
Cormier claimed: “In terms of respect for his abilities, sure — he’s a great fighter. I’ve always said he’s a great fighter.
“But every time going forward we see each other, there’s still going to be issues, because either I’m going to smack him upside his head, or something’s going to happen.
“We’re not going to be friends, and we’re never going to be able to be in the same space, because there will always be issues, because he’s a punk.”
Things like this are what makes the UFC feel so real and entertaining, and it’d certainly be odd seeing them embrace after their highly anticipated rematch next weekend.
Will Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier ever solve their issues? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.
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