Daniel Cormier has publicly questioned Jon Jones` recent assertion that he would defeat Cormier even more decisively if they were to fight at heavyweight.
Despite nearly eight years passing since their last encounter, the rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier remains a significant topic of discussion in UFC history.
Cormier faced Jones twice in the light heavyweight division, losing both bouts. Their second fight at UFC 214, originally recorded as a TKO victory for Jones, was later changed to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for the banned substance Turinabol.
While Cormier never achieved a victory over Jones, Jones himself, who now holds the UFC Heavyweight Championship, has previously acknowledged Cormier as the most influential rival and motivator throughout his celebrated career.
As UFC fans eagerly await news regarding a potential superfight between Jones and Tom Aspinall, Jones recently attracted attention by claiming he could defeat Cormier worse in the heavyweight division if both men were in their prime.
Cormier, a former heavyweight champion who suffered only one loss in that weight class, strongly disagreed with Jones`s statement.
Daniel Cormier Dismisses Jon Jones` Claim About Heavyweight Dominance
This week, Cormier responded to Jones`s comments by highlighting that Jones had stated in 2019 he would not fight Cormier at heavyweight.
In that same interview, Jones had also suggested that a fighter like Cormier, due to his power and strength advantages, represented his greatest potential challenge and risk of defeat.
“Let`s clarify this for everyone,” Cormier stated on the “Good Guy / Bad Guy” show.
“When I was actively competing,” Cormier recalled Jones saying, “Jon Jones said I would not fight Daniel at heavyweight because it gives him an advantage. `That’s where he’s best at.`”
“He`s completely out of his mind…” Cormier added.
Commentating on Jones` choice of words (“pretty worse”), Cormier remarked, “That was very bad English from Jon Jones,” regarding his former rival`s claim about a heavyweight fight.
Cormier`s Dominant Heavyweight Run
Before securing the light heavyweight championship during Jon Jones`s absence, Daniel Cormier had already established himself as a dominant force in the heavyweight division, achieving 13 consecutive victories.
As a heavyweight, the accomplished wrestler defeated notable opponents including former UFC champion Frank Mir, Josh Barnett, Antonio Silva, and Roy Nelson before his move to the 205lbs division in 2014.
In 2018, then 39-year-old Cormier made history by becoming a simultaneous two-division champion, achieving a first-round knockout victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 to claim the heavyweight title.
Cormier successfully defended his heavyweight belt against Derrick Lewis a few months later, improving his record in the division to 15-0.
Stipe Miocic, widely considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, would go on to avenge his loss against `DC` in their subsequent trilogy fights.
In closely contested bouts, Miocic secured a comeback knockout victory over Cormier in 2019 and won their final meeting via decision in 2020.
At the age of 41, Cormier announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following the decision loss to Miocic at UFC 252.
Percy Harlow