Daniel Cormier And Jon Jones Are At It Again

Jon Jones had some choice words about the current UFC Heavyweight Championship situation. He compared the current scenario involving Tom Aspinall to Daniel Cormier’s reign. In turn, it drew the retired heavyweight’s ire, saying that “they’re not the same thing.”

Whether Jones is right or wrong is up for debate. However, the Jones-Cormier controversy adds another wrinkle to the storied rivalry. With Jones coming after the San Jose native, this feud goes back nearly a decade.

How did this rivalry get off the ground? What has made this feud between two of the best UFC fighters go nuclear? With the recent developments in the feud, it’s worth looking at the origins and where it all started. It doesn’t look like this will end any time soon, after all.

How It Started Between Jon Jones And Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier was supposed to face Jon Jones at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014. The bout would be for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship and would take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. However, it never came to fruition due to Jones tearing his meniscus. The match was moved to UFC 182 at the same venue, where Jones won via unanimous decision.

A rematch took place at UFC 214 in Anaheim, California, on July 29, 2017. Initially, Jones won the fight and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship after a barrage of ground strikes. However, a failed drug test gave the title back to Cormier, who entered the fight as the champion. However, the rivalry goes beyond the ring, with the two sides sparring each other through their words.

A War Of Words

Daniel Cormier is never shy about expressing his feelings, either. He talked about how Jon Jones was a “bad employee” in the past, which “Bones” took to heart. The incident in question took place in 2014, with then-UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta calling Jones a “scumbag”.

Of course, there’s also Jones calling Cormier “bitter” over the San Jose heavyweight losing to “Bones” twice. Still, the two fighters have never shied away from going after each other, with one side berating the other for their previous actions. Whether it’s faulty title reigns or issues outside the ring, the two parties are always fighting each other.

What Does The Future Hold?

With Cormier retired, there’s no chance for another fight in the cards. As for Jones, he’s focused on getting back in the octagon once everything in his life is cleared up. He’s aiming to get back and fight in the heavyweight division, hoping to become champion.

Still, that’s what makes the rivalry one of the greatest in UFC history. Two heated contestants going after each other in a bitter feud. Now with Jones heading off to fight Stipe Miocic, there could be more chapters in one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history.