Jon Jones has voiced his wish to compete against his long-time rival, Daniel Cormier, once more, aiming for a victory that is unequivocally legitimate and “fair and square.” The intense animosity between the two fighters has persisted for years, and it appears unlikely that they will ever reconcile.
Jones himself believes that Cormier has no intention of ever becoming friends with him.
Currently serving as opposing coaches on ALF Global, their rivalry flared up previously, leading to a confrontation where Cormier expressed a desire to leave the set for his own safety. However, Jones intervened, persuading Cormier to remain and even commending him for his achievements as both an individual and an athlete.
Despite this gesture, Cormier has not reciprocated any warmth towards Jones, a sentiment Jones believes is permanent. In a recent interview with ALF Global, Jones stated:
“I think this dynamic is simply how it will be for the remainder of our lives. He [DC] views himself as my rival, but in reality, he is merely an antagonist.”
Jones further elaborated on his desire for a clean victory, stating:
“I want to defeat Daniel again fair and square. It’s essentially me in Thailand, alone with my business partner, versus Daniel and his entire team. I am a winning machine in my own right.”
Jones’ rivalry with Cormier has been consistently marred by controversy. Although Jones defeated Cormier twice, their second bout at UFC 214 was later nullified to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for the anabolic steroid Turinabol. This resulted in the forfeiture of his light heavyweight championship, which was subsequently returned to Cormier.
Following this incident, Cormier has repeatedly challenged the legitimacy of Jones’ career achievements, labeling him a cheater due to his failed drug tests. In response to these accusations, Jones has reiterated his aspiration to defeat Cormier once more, asserting his ability to do so without resorting to illicit means.
