Daniel Cormier recently affirmed that he’d turned down an offer to coach a reality TV show, ALF Reality, opposite arch-nemesis Jon Jones as a rival coach. The Russian show set in Thailand, said to be inspired by the UFC’s TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) reality show, later roped in UFC veteran Nate Diaz opposite Jones.
Amid the developments, Jones remarked that he’d win a possible fight against Cormier in the heavyweight division even more dominantly than he did at light heavyweight. “DC” has now reacted to the comments.
Daniel Cormier Gives His Honest Assessment After Jon Jones’ Heavyweight Challenge
On ESPN’s “First Take,” hosted by Molly Qerim, = Cormier was asked about Jon Jones’ recent remark that he’d beat him even worse at heavyweight. The MMA great, who’s been retired since August 2020, responded by recounting that Jones had previously indicated that he’d be at a disadvantage against him (Cormier) at heavyweight.
The 46-year-old fighter-turned-UFC commentator stated, “Jon Jones, when I was actively fighting, said, ‘I would not fight Daniel at heavyweight because it gives him an advantage. That [heavyweight] is where he [Cormier] is best at.’ Molly, I’m 46 years old. I’m retired. I swing a golf club. I swing a golf club in my free time … Yeah, he’s out of his mind.”
Similarly, on ESPN’s “Good Guy / Bad Guy” podcast this week, Cormier gave his honest assessment of their potential fight today. “DC” implied that he’d get dominantly beaten by Jones at this point in their respective lives.
Cormier explained, “So, yes. That’s Jon. First off, I don’t care. But I’m 46 years old, bro. I don’t fight no more, and I can’t fight. He would kill me. He would literally beat the s*** out of me. But, anyhow, he would beat me up pretty worse.”
Their first encounter saw Jones defend the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Cormier via unanimous decision in January 2015. Their rematch had Cormier put his light heavyweight belt on the line and suffer a third-round knockout defeat against “Bones” in July 2017. However, the rematch’s verdict was overturned to an NC (NO Contest), as Jones tested positive for the banned PED, turinabol. Cormier thereby retained the title.
For years, certain sections of the MMA community have suggested that Cormier would’ve likely beaten Jones if they’d fought at heavyweight, citing the hypothesis that he was better-suited to the heavyweight division than “Bones.”
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Overall, Cormier held both the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight titles during his career, and Jones also held both titles over the course of his MMA journey. Cormier has maintained that he’s unlikely to end his MMA retirement and is focused on his role as a UFC color commentator. He even coached Season 33 of the UFC’s TUF reality show, opposite fellow former UFC star Chael Sonnen.
Furthermore, Jones is the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion, who many believe is likely to face interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall in a title unification fight next.