Daniel Cormier says he has ‘no desire to be friends with’ Jon Jones after UFC 214

Jon Jones recently said he would be open to ending his long-running feud with Daniel Cormier after their rematch at UFC 214 next weekend, but that’s the last thing “DC” wants to do.

The UFC light heavyweight champion said in an interview on the UFC on FOX 25 broadcast on Saturday night that he has “no desire to be friends with” Jones afterwards and that he’ll always have problems with his arch rival — even for years to come.

“In terms of respect for his abilities, sure — he’s a great fighter. I’ve always said he’s a great fighter,” Cormier said. “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.”

Jones told FloCombat.com earlier this week that he, on the other hand, won’t have an issue with Cormier after they fight for the second time.

“This rivalry ends at UFC 214 and after (the fight), I honestly have no problem with Daniel Cormier,” Jones said. “If he wants to be friends, be a sportsman and realize I’m just the better fighter, that would be great. It would show a lot about who he is. I doubt he’ll do that though based on how he acted the first time I beat him.”

When asked by commentator Brian Stann on the Saturday FOX broadcast about whether he and Cormier could possibly mend fences after UFC 214, however, all Jones said was: “F—k ‘DC.’”

UFC 214 takes place live from Anaheim, Calif., on July 29 and features three title fights, including Cormier vs. Jones 2 for the 205-pound belt. Cormier and Jones, whose rivalry heated up in late 2014, first fought at UFC 182 in January 2015; Jones defended the title by decision, but was stripped of it later that year after a run in with the law. Cormier has been the champion since May 2015.

Tyron Woodley is set to defend his welterweight title against Demian Maia in the co-main event, and Cris Cyborg and Tonya Evinger fight for the vacant women’s featherweight strap.