Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones spent years as one of MMA’s most heated rivalries. A recent reality TV project brought them back together, and Cormier says it changed his perspective, even if the old feelings never fully disappeared.
The two former UFC champions coached opposite sides on ALF Global’s “Alf Reality” series in Thailand, a Russian-produced show modeled after “The Ultimate Fighter.” The extended time together gave Cormier a closer look at Jones outside of fight camps and press conferences.
Time Together Softens the Edge, But Not Completely
Cormier says working alongside Jones in Thailand shifted how he views his longtime rival, even if the frustration still lingers. He opened up with his relationship with Jon on his Youtube channel.
“After spending that time with Jones over there in Thailand, honestly he annoys me still, but he’s not as bad as I originally thought.”
“When you’re around someone with that amount of time, obviously you grow and you learn more about them.”
Cormier also addressed Jones’ public comments about him during the filming, pushing back on some of the claims made.
“I saw the video of him saying how stuffy I was and how horrible I treat the people around me.”
“But even me, with all the history, I still can tell you straight up that he ain’t what he was before to me. I don’t have the level of dislike for him that I had maybe in the past.”
Cormier Points to Coaching Rivalry as His Own Win
Even with a calmer dynamic off-camera, Cormier still keeps score from their time on the show.
“We were able to work alongside each other cordially and get the show done.”
“I had both guys in the finals, and my guy beat Jones’ guys,”
“And then I coached the guy to win the whole competition. So reality is, in that area, I already won, OK?”
Cormier still feels like a winner, though in different competitions:
“Remember: Jones beat me in the fight. Everything we have done since, I have beaten him in. I beat him in the soccer game, I beat him in the coaching.”
Grappling Match Interest Comes With Conditions
There has been talk of a potential grappling showdown between the two. Cormier says the idea only works under certain circumstances. He also explained why a submission-only format does not appeal to him.
“If you’re going to pay me seven figures to wrestle against Jon Jones, I’m in,”
“I’ll tell you this right now: I probably will not submit Jon Jones. I don’t believe I can.”
A Storied Rivalry
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier shared the Octagon twice. Both meetings came with the UFC light heavyweight title on the line and helped define one of the sport’s most turbulent eras.
Their first showdown took place at UFC 182 on January 3, 2015. But the hostility started months before. In August 2014, a promotional event at the MGM Grand erupted into a brawl when Jones and Cormier crashed through a stage backdrop during a face-off. This involved DC throwing a shoe at Jones.
Weeks later, an off-air microphone captured Jones telling Cormier he would literally kill him if he ever spit in his face.After five rounds of intense action, Jones earned a unanimous decision victory and handed Cormier the first loss of his professional MMA career.
The fight itself did not disappoint, either. After five rounds of intense action, Jones earned a unanimous decision victory and handed Cormier the first loss of his professional MMA career.
More than two years later, they met again at UFC 214. This time, Jones appeared to settle the score in emphatic fashion, stopping Cormier with a head-kick and punches in the third round.
The celebration did not last. A failed drug test revealed the presence of turinabol metabolites in Jones’ system, leading the California State Athletic Commission to overturn the result to a no-contest. Jones was stripped of the championship, and Cormier was reinstated as UFC light heavyweight champion.
Planned meetings at UFC 178, UFC 197, and UFC 200 all fell apart for various reasons, including injuries, legal issues, and failed drug tests.