We were so close to seeing Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier rehash their UFC rivalry—or what was left of it.
Both two-division UFC Champions, Jones and Cormier absolutely hated each other during their heydays at light heavyweight.
Daniel Cormier fought Jones for the title twice—once as a challenger at UFC 182 and the other as a champion at UFC 214. Cormier would lose both fights before the rematch was overturned from a TKO to a no-contest result due to Jones testing positive for the steroid Turinabol.
Jon Jones, the current UFC Heavyweight Champion and arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time, once said Cormier was his biggest rival and motivator.
Years after their historic rivalry reached its climax, the same Russian reality TV show that pitted Nate Diaz and Jones as coaches tried to get DC on board…
Daniel Cormier turned down TV offer to coach against Jon Jones
On Monday, Cormier revealed he was made an offer to coach opposite Jon Jones on a reality TV show called ‘ALF Reality’ in Thailand.
The show has earned comparisons to the UFC’s long-running ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ where contestants fight each other and are coached by legendary fighters.
With his old rival ‘Bones’ across from him, DC decided to opt out, and the show moved on to Nate Diaz.
“I was offered to coach, against [Jones] prior, but I didn’t accept it,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel.
Cormier has coached ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ twice before. In 2018, Cormier coached against Stipe Miocic on ‘TUF 27’ and again, (while retired) with Chael Sonnen on the upcoming season ‘TUF 33’.
Daniel Cormier says his inability to fight Jon Jones factored into decision
Cormier has been on the MMA sidelines for almost five years now, not having fought since his heavyweight title fight with Stipe Miocic at UFC 252.
While a fight offer was never on the table, the 46-year-old Cormier says he couldn’t say yes to a reunion with Jon Jones—one that has a heated history attached to it.
“I can’t do a month in Thailand, opposite side Jon Jones,” Cormier continued.
“Especially when I can’t fight that dude no more…
“He beat me when I was fighting. I can’t really fight today. I’m 46 years old. Like, come on, man.
“I mean, I would do it for fun, but I’m not ready to spend a month in Thailand,” Cormier said of the reality TV show offer with Jones.