Some rivalries in sports are like a mild spat between siblings. Others, like the one between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones, are more like a volcanic eruption. Back in the mid-2010s, these two light heavyweights turned the UFC into their personal drama series. This was complete with press conference brawls, viral trash talk moments, and some truly epic fights.
Now, as Jones prepares for his return at UFC 309, Cormier recently sat down with ESPN’s First Take to look back at their heated feud. ‘DC,’ who has traded in his fighting gloves for a microphone these days, couldn’t help but crack a smile when remembering their infamous rivalry.
“It’s crazy because it really was the best time of your life when you don’t even know it, right. You’re in this crazy rivalry…Then ESPN set us up. They go; the hot mic thing where him and I were arguing, we had no idea. We were on mic, we were cursing live, it was crazy. It went viral, it was nuts. It really is one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports.”
The rivalry ran deeper than just words, though. Their first clash in 2015 at UFC 182 was like watching two forces of nature collide. Jones walked away with the win that night, handing Cormier his first-ever loss in MMA. Their second fight in 2017 at UFC 214 ended in controversy when Jones failed a drug test after initially winning by knockout.
What makes this story even more interesting is how Cormier talks about it now. There’s no bitterness in his voice, just a kind of nostalgic amusement. It’s like looking back at high school drama; it seemed so serious then, but now he can just shake his head and smile.
Daniel Cormier Makes Potential Argument For Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira
While Jon Jones gets ready to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, there’s another heavyweight star making waves. Tom Aspinall, the interim champion, has been calling for his shot at Jones, but ‘Bones’ seems more interested in a potential clash with Alex Pereira instead.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral MMA stories via Google! Follow Us
Daniel Cormier recently stepped into this spicy situation with some straight talk on his YouTube channel. He pointed out that Jones might be playing it smart – maybe too smart – by eyeing Pereira instead of Aspinall. According to him, Jones’ interest in fighting Pereira boils down to simple math: takedowns equal victory.
“He would just wrestle him. So, yes, financially, it would make sense, and it would be much less risky because of that glaring hole in the matchup. I don’t know if Alex Pereira can defend takedowns against the best guys.”
Jones keeps talking about legacy and money fights, but Daniel Cormier thinks he might be ducking the tougher challenge. It’s a tale as old as time in combat sports: the established champion avoiding the hungry young lion.
Also Read: Daniel Cormier Unveils The ‘Greatest’ And Most Defining Moment Of His Epic UFC Career
