There remains little love between UFC rivals Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier eight years since their last fight.
Eight years since UFC legends Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier last clashed inside the Octagon, their all-time rivalry remains as heated as ever. Tensions escalated after Jones announced his abrupt retirement from the UFC, to which Cormier responded by labeling Jones a ‘quitter’ and scolding him for not fighting Tom Aspinall.
Jones and the UFC were in contract talks for months to make the Aspinall fight come to fruition. Instead, Jones opted to hang up the gloves, and Aspinall was promoted to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.
Jones has since taken a U-turn on his retirement and is targeting a return to the cage in 2026. In the meantime, things remain hostile between Jones and his two-time UFC title foe.
Jon Jones/Daniel Cormier feud reignites after recent comments on UFC 318 weigh-in show
During the UFC 318 weigh-in show, Cormier was asked if he could fight his ‘enemy’ at any place, who he would he fight and where if he had the opportunity.
“I kind of want the ability to kill him, so I’d like to do it at my house. They couldn’t really do anything,” Cormier said.
Cormier was then pressed on who he was specifically referring to by co-hosts Paul Felder and Dan Hellie. After Jones was indirectly referenced, Cormier clarified his stance.
“I don’t dislike Jon Jones, I think he’s fine,” Cormier assured.
Despite Cormier’s clarification, it didn’t take long for Jones to take notice, as he hit back at his two-time UFC rival in a recent Instagram comment.
“Could you imagine getting your *** kicked for the third time in front of the wife and kids?” Jones said.
But Jones didn’t let Cormier’s comments off the hook as he then switched social media platforms to slam the UFC Hall of Famer.
In a pair of recent tweets, Jones followed up on his original Instagram comment with more malice.
“DC said he wants to kill me at his house. I already buried him twice in the Octagon. Third time I’m bringing a shovel,” Jones said.
“A blind man can see the mansion I own in Daniel’s head. I just didn’t realize how deep his hate still runs. Those *** whoopings must’ve left more than bruises, I feel like I’m the most painful thing that ever happened to that man’s life. Emotional damage.”
As of this writing, Cormier hasn’t responded to Jones’s recent social media taunts. The tweets came just as UFC 318 kicked off in New Orleans, where Cormier served as a lead analyst on the broadcast desk and a post-fight interviewer.
Jones got the last laugh over Cormier in both of their UFC matchups, defeating Cormier by decision at UFC 182 before knocking him out in their rematch at UFC 214. Jones’s knockout win was later overturned to a ‘no contest’ after Jones tested positive for a banned substance.
Cormier retired from fighting after a heavyweight trilogy loss to Stipe Miocic at UFC 252. He entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
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Jon Jones revealed who he wants to fight for targeted UFC comeback at The White House
Amid the resurrection of his bad blood with Cormier, Jones is back in the gym and the UFC’s drug testing pool as he targets a return to the Octagon next year. Jones wants to fight on the UFC’s planned event at The White House in July 2026, which will be part of the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence.
Jones wants to fight whoever is holding the UFC heavyweight belt when he returns, which will be Aspinall or another top contender. Alex Pereira is another potential opponent if Pereira moves up to heavyweight and wins another title.
Jones could co-headline a card with Conor McGregor as the Irish superstar targets his return to the Octagon after a five-year-plus hiatus. McGregor raised eyebrows when he claimed he was back in the UFC’s drug testing pool more than a year since his canceled comeback fight at UFC 303.