Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones – two of the UFC’s most iconic figures – have shared a heated rivalry that stretches back years, and the animosity between them hasn’t waned. Even now, as Cormier has moved to the commentary booth, the rivalry still rears its head. At a Q&A session during UFC Edmonton’s events this past Friday, Cormier was reminded of this lingering tension when a fan posed a somewhat disrespectful question. The incident highlighted just how much the rivalry with Jones still impacts Cormier.
During the UFC Edmonton Q&A, Cormier joined fellow commentators Brendan Fitzgerald and Paul Felder on stage, engaging with fans who were eager to hear from him. But the open-mic format sometimes invites questions that go too far, and that’s what happened when one fan stepped up. The fan began by asking about Jones’s career but then ended with a jab:
“DC, with Jon Jones fighting at MSG, it might be the last time we see him in the Octagon, in your opinion, what’s the greatest moment of his career, and on a lighter note, how does it feel to be the son of Jon Jones?”
The question caught Cormier off guard, but he responded with both praise and humour. “One of the greatest moments – he’s beaten a lot of guys,” Cormier replied, acknowledging Jones’s accomplishments:
Daniel Cormier Defends Rival Jon Jones at UFC Edmonton
“The amount of champions Jon Jones has beaten over his career is very impressive. The guy has been a champion for a long time, and it will suck whenever he’s gone because the game is better when you have fighters like that in it.” He then added a direct response to the fan’s remark, saying, “On a lighter note, f*ck you!”
Cormier’s reaction underscored the complexity of his feelings toward Jones. While he has grown more respectful of Jones’s talents, especially as one of the UFC’s main commentators, it’s clear there are still strong feelings attached to their history. The rivalry isn’t just about competition; it’s personal.
As the UFC gears up for another major event at Madison Square Garden, fans have speculated that it could be one of the last times we see Jones in the cage. Though Jones has not officially announced any plans to retire, there have been hints, especially with his upcoming title defence against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. For his part, Miocic has faced criticism for his inactivity, with some questioning his readiness for such a high-profile fight. However, Cormier believes the matchup holds more weight than it might seem.
Cormier on UFC 309 Main Event
“I actually spoke to Stipe last week,” Cormier shared. “He’s in great spirits, big, strong, and as heavy as he’s been in a long time. I think Jon Jones seems as motivated as he’s been in a while.”
Cormier added that he sees this as a classic matchup worthy of Madison Square Garden’s main event:
“It’s the type of fight that we all, as fans of the sport, love to see, and I truly believe that this is much more competitive than people think it is. It’s deserving of headlining Madison Square Garden,” he noted, emphasizing that the bout has the potential to be a thrilling showdown.
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