Jon Jones Openly Admits That He Doesn’t Want to Risk Fighting Daniel Cormier at Heavyweight… He Insists That The Only Way They Clash Again is if DC Goes Back Down to 205…
There isn’t a bigger enigma in MMA than Jon Jones. He’s arguably the best fighter on the planet right now and picograms aside could be considered the greatest UFC fighter of all time. Since his return to light-heavyweight following a suspension, ‘Bones’ has looked untouchable.
In truth, nobody in the division looks like beating him right now. Perhaps Thiago Santos will pull it off in July – and we’ll be delighted if he stuns the world – but the Brazilian will surely understand why nobody is giving him a chance. Some believe Johnny Walker could have the tools, but he’s a couple of fights away from Jones.
No, the truth is that if Jones wants some genuine legacy-defining competition he needs to move up to heavyweight. There’s one problem there though, and his name is Daniel Cormier. “DC” is a different animal when he doesn’t have to diet and Jones doesn’t want to risk it.
Too Risky
Many people believe that if Jones fought Cormier at heavyweight then DC might be able to finally beat his arch-nemesis. They’ve fought twice in the past. Even if the second was ruled a no-contest, Jones still knocked Cormier out. However, the former Olympian has never been defeated at heavyweight and that could make a difference. Jones might intensely dislike Cormier but he has nothing but respect for his rival’s abilities.
“I’m a realist,” Jones told Dan Hardy (via MMA Junkie). “Daniel Cormier is a special athlete and anyone can be beat. I think my greatest chance of losing would be to a guy like Daniel Cormier. We’d be giving him a power and strength advantage over me; it just doesn’t make sense.”
“Right now, I make light heavyweight very easily, and it would just make no sense to fight a guy who, I think, technically (is) on your level and to give him a size advantage,” Jones continued. “I’m not doing it. I’m sure my fans don’t like to hear me talk like that, but that’s just me being a realist – and being respectful of Daniel’s abilities.”
Not Happening
For his part, Jones doesn’t expect Cormier to make the cut back down to 205. Now that ‘DC’ is past 40, you wouldn’t expect it. However, he’s an intense competitor and would love to get one back against Jones, so don’t rule it out.
“He’s definitely never coming back to light heavyweight,” Jones said. “He says it, but there’s no way he’s coming back to light heavyweight. To commit your life to lose that type of weight and to come up short again would be so devastating. It would take an incredible amount of courage to attempt it, and to come up short would just be so devastating. I doubt he’d put himself through that for the third time.”
Rivalry
If this fight does happen then it should definitely be at heavyweight. The UFC shouldn’t even consider it otherwise. Fans aren’t interested in another 205 clash. At least heavyweight adds more variables and a new dimension to it. Chuck some money at the two of them and this could be the biggest fight of the year. Cormier isn’t getting any younger and won’t be around the UFC much longer so if it does happen it needs to be sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, Jones has to deal with Thiago Santos first, and ‘DC’ has a vengeful Stipe Miocic coming for him too. That’s a very dangerous fight for Cormier. If he loses, don’t be surprised to see him walk away.
