Daniel Cormier has clapped back at UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, after Jones compared the current title situation to Cormier’s reign back in 2015.
The rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier will go down as one of the most bitter in the sports history, and it is a feud that has continued even after Cormier retired.
‘DC’ challenged ‘Bones’ for the UFC light heavyweight title in 2015, marking the start of their bitter rivalry. Jones beat Cormier by decision but was stripped of his title shortly after following his arrest.
The two were then scheduled to meet at UFC 200 for a rematch but Jones tested positive for two banned substances and was subsequently handed a suspension.
Jon Jones makes title reign comparison
Cormier went on to reign as 205lb champion during Jones’ absence, which the current champion has now downplayed.
The 36-year-old has recently been extremely active on X (formerly Twitter) defending his decision to fight Stipe Miocic next, instead of interim champion, Tom Aspinall.
During his defensive tirades, Jones compared the current heavyweight title situation with Aspinall, to that of Daniel Cormier’s light heavyweight title reign.
“UFC is a brilliant company, did what they had to do to save the event (UFC 295). But I do agree, it definitely confused a bunch of UK fans, got them entitled thinking their boy really is the champion. It reminds me of when DC was the ‘champion’ during my absence.” Jones said on X.
With the situations being nothing alike, Cormier decided to refute Jones’ statement.
Daniel Cormier shuts down Jon Jones’ title reign comparison
“That’s not a real indication of what was going on.” Cormier stated on his YouTube channel. “Jon is out due to injury, so Tom Aspinall is now the champion. But that’s not what was going on when he and I were fighting.
“He misrepresented what the situation was. Right now he’s out because he injured himself, with me it was because he kept getting caught doing things he wasn’t supposed to.” Cormier added.
‘Bones’ has stated on social media that he is back in training following his torn pectoral injury last year and is waiting for an official date for his fight against former champion, Miocic.
“If he decided today, I’m going to go and fight there would be nothing to stop him, that’d be his decision. When he and I were fighting, and he kept getting into trouble he could not go ‘I’m back in the gym and I’m ready to fight’, he couldn’t it was illegal.
“It’s time to stop lumping everything together, but sleight of hand is what Jon is very good at. Jones it wasn’t the same thing bud.” Cormier stated.
No signs of clarity with the heavyweight title picture
Although Jones has stated that he is back in training, there still isn’t an official date for his first heavyweight title defense. Miocic recently stated that he believes the fight will happen near the end of the year at Madison Square Garden.
With Tom Aspinall not wanting to sit around and wait for the culmination of that fight, he will defend his interim title at UFC 304, in Manchester, and become one of the only fighters ever to defend an interim belt.
Despite it not being confirmed as of yet, he is likely to defend his title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes, as that’s the fight he has called for several times.
Jones vs Miocic feels like it may be a retirement fight for both fighters, with Miocic previously admitting that it’ll likely be his last, and Jones having hinted at the same.