No rivalry is completely forgotten in the world of MMA, and some feuds find a way to keep coming back even after the fighters have moved on from active competition. The iconic feud between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier is one of them.
Years have passed since their heated confrontation inside the octagon, but even a small jab from one still seems to bother the other.
Daniel Cormier Hits Back at Jon Jones’ Remarks
The heavyweight division of the UFC is currently facing a lot of questions and criticism. Jones has been the undisputed champion for the past two years, and Tom Aspinall has been the interim champ for nearly as long. But even after multiple callouts from Aspinall and growing fan frustration, Jones stays reluctant, and a unification fight still hasn’t happened.
Talking about this situation, Jones’ former opponents Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen have shared their thoughts on their ESPN podcast “Good Guy/Bad Guy,” raising questions and sometimes even criticizing the undisputed champion for his inactivity.
Cormier and Sonnen recently had Tom Aspinall on their show, and the interim champ didn’t hold back. He called himself the “undisputed UFC heavyweight champion” and even declared that Jones is “retired” and he is busy “living his best life” rather than actively defending his title. Things like these seemed to hit a nerve with Jones.
Jones addressed the criticism and took a dig at the income of his former rivals. He tweeted, “Jon Jones whooped both of y’all, but hey—why not team up on a podcast and gossip about his life? Meanwhile, he’s out here making your annual salary in a week. Stay busy, boys.”
Jon Jones whooped both of y’all, but hey—why not team up on a podcast and gossip about his life? Meanwhile, he’s out here making your annual salary in a week. Stay busy, boys. 🤼♂️
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) June 6, 2025
Jones and Cormier’s feud in the mid-2010s helped define the UFC light heavyweight division. Given their history of trash talk, media drama, and two intense fights, it’s no surprise that Jones is still triggered by anything DC says.
But Cormier didn’t let the money jab go. The former two-division champ clapped back with a video of his own.
He admitted that Jones has an incredible record and star power but made it clear that his own achievements are just as strong. “Jon Jones’ résumé is impeccable. Jon Jones’ star power, his ability to sell, matches up with anybody in the business. But guess what? Daniel Cormier’s résumé matches up with anybody in the business,” Cormier said.
Cormier also reminded fans that Jones’ biggest paydays came from their two headline matchups—proof that their legacies are deeply connected.
—Is it 2015 again lol. New episode is live at 5pm eastern/2 pm pacific time at my YouTube channel. This dude always talking manhttps://t.co/S6X4VdZ5Vs pic.twitter.com/pnbmTo05Po
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 11, 2025
“Jon Jones don’t make more money than me in a week. Jon Jones makes more money than me when he fights. We over here eating,” Cormier said. “The biggest paydays you ever had were directly tied to me. … I’m talking about you, and I’m getting paid to talk about you, but I don’t fight no more because all I can really do is talk. That’s what I do.”
Perhaps the most damaging comment came when Cormier directly called out Jones for avoiding a fight with Aspinall. The former champ didn’t hold back, saying that he would have never turned down the fight and that Jones is running away from his duty. “You fight. Or, at least, you’re supposed to fight. You’re talking about me, you’re talking about Francis [Ngannou], you’re talking about Chael, and almost ignoring the right thing,” Cormier said.
He added, “If I was still fighting today, and I was still the heavyweight champion, and Tom Aspinall was the No. 1 contender, I would’ve already fought him. … This dude Jon Jones is still talking? Come on.”
Jones’ ongoing silence on a potential title defense against Aspinall has only fueled the fire. His record includes wins over legends like Cormier, Sonnen, and Stipe Miocic — but fans are starting to question his current title reign. Cormier’s latest comments echo what many are thinking: maybe it’s time Jones steps back into the octagon — or steps aside.