The long-standing animosity between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones remains strong, years after their historic clashes in the UFC Octagon.
The future of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones`s return to the Octagon is increasingly unclear. Speculation has centered on a potential title unification bout between Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall, particularly since Aspinall claimed the interim belt after Jones was sidelined by injury.
Fans are widely criticizing Jones for seemingly holding up the heavyweight division, whether by not fighting Aspinall or by refusing to vacate the championship. A large petition is circulating, urging the UFC to strip Jones of his title.
Amidst this uncertainty, two former adversaries of Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, recently provoked a reaction from the heavyweight champion.
Daniel Cormier to Jon Jones: ‘I Would Have Fought Tom Aspinall Already’
Cormier and Sonnen, who co-host a show together, recently discussed the ongoing situation with Jones and the heavyweight division. Their commentary quickly drew a response from Jones.
“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,” Jones posted on X.
In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier responded directly to Jones`s comments.
“It seems as though Jon Jones doesn’t like being talked about by two of the biggest voices in this game, and I’m going to pull the curtain back,” Cormier stated. He added, “I know what Jon Jones made… His resume is impeccable, star power, his ability to sell, matches up with anybody in the business. But guess what? Daniel Cormier’s resume matches up with anybody in the business, I bring eyes like other people in the business. Jon Jones doesn’t make more money than me in a week! He makes more money than me, when he fights! We’re over here eating. 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 anymore ’cause all I can really do is talk. That’s what I do.”
Cormier then challenged Jones directly regarding Aspinall: “You fight! Or at least, you’re supposed to fight. You’re talking about me, Francis [Ngannou], Chael, and almost ignoring the right thing. You can then stick it to everybody… I can tell you guys on good authority, if I was still fighting today, and I was still the heavyweight champion and Tom Aspinall was the number one contender, I would have already fought him. One thousand percent. Knowing how dangerous [he is], it would have done nothing but excite me. This dude Jon Jones is still talking? Come on.”
Aspinall recently mentioned that the UFC has given him a date and location for his next bout, but he did not reveal if Jones would be the opponent. Should Jones not fight, Aspinall is expected to compete for the undisputed title against another leading contender such as Ciryl Gane or Alexander Volkov.
Cormier, a former UFC heavyweight champion himself, retired in 2020 after a trilogy defeat to Stipe Miocic. Prior to his intense rivalry with Miocic, a potential heavyweight clash between Cormier and Jones was frequently discussed.
Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier Heavyweight Fight Nearly Happened During Their Primes
Following their second light heavyweight meeting, which ended as a no-contest after Jones tested positive for a banned substance, a third bout between the two was briefly rumored. Discussions gained traction when Cormier captured the UFC heavyweight title by knocking out Stipe Miocic at UFC 226.
Jones vacated the UFC light heavyweight championship after his victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. He then took a four-year hiatus before returning in 2023 to claim the vacant heavyweight belt at UFC 285, defeating Ciryl Gane via first-round submission.
Years after the main chapters of their rivalry unfolded, significant tension persists between Jones and Cormier. Cormier recently launched a strong defense of Islam Makhachev against Jones`s comments, reigniting their bitter UFC feud.
Cormier and Jones were also slated to coach opposite each other on a season of *The Ultimate Fighter*, but the opportunity did not materialize.
