The rivalry between Jon Jones and current UFC Light Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has been going on for quite a while now. From their first fight at UFC 182 to all their cancelled fights in between to Cormier taunting Jones after he defeated Anthony Johnson at UFC 210 to retain his title.
Since Jones defeated Cormier at UFC 182, both fighters have been looking to get inside the octagon again but their schedules never aligned. Cormier first withdrew from a rematch due to a leg injury in 2016. Then the two were set to face off at UFC 200 but Jones was ruled out after he tested positive for two banned substances that landed him a one-year suspension.
Also read: Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones could finally have their rematch at UFC 214
Jones suspension is set to end on July 6 and there are rumours doing the rounds that they could finally get their rematch at UFC 214 on July 29.
Despite Cormier being the Champion and one of the most well behaved MMA fighters, inside and outside the octagon, the UFC fans still seem to consider him as the villain. During a recent interview, Cormier spoke to former WWE stars Edge and Christian during an appearance on their "Podcast of Awesomeness" and tried to explain why the fans turned on him.
"Lately I've been having to do a little more talking because the fans have ... they've kind of turned on me – which is OK. I get it. It's OK. But I kind of relate myself to Roman Reigns, John Cena, those types of guys, guys that are supposed to be good guys, but the fans just have something that they don't like, something that doesn't resonate with them. So I've kind of been having to talk a little bit more, and it's refreshing," MMA fighting quoted Cormier as saying.
"People don't want to be told, 'I'm good, so you should cheer for me.' Jon Jones is a guy that has made a lot of mistakes, so maybe people relate to him more. They go, 'Forget this Daniel Cormier goody two-shoes, him and his kids and his family. I want the guy that does coke and parties and crashes cars. That's the guy I want.'
"Maybe I'm not cool enough because I go to work, I fight. When I'm not fighting I go back, and I go to my kids' soccer and baseball games. That's what I do. I go to wrestling. I'm not out partying. I'm not out doing all kinds of crazy stuff. Maybe I'm just too boring, but I'm fine with it. I like my life."
As soon as Jones found out what Cormier had said, he took to twitter and responded.
Can someone tell DC he's a great guy and pat him on the back so we can move on already. #TheChampIsHere https://t.co/Z7NBCiZxnn
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) 8 May 2017
After the latest war of words between the two, the UFC will certainly want a rematch between them. However, UFC President Dana White said earlier that he does not trust Jones anymore after the whole UFC 200 fiasco and would not allow him to main event a PPV. Despite that Jones' manager said it will not affect him financially.
"So, at the end of the day, when Dana White says 'I can't trust him,' look, I understand what you're saying from your end because you're upset, pissed off and I get it, but it is what it is. But from our end, if you think you're going to sell better by saying Jon Jones is a co-main event or it protects you better, then you got to do what you got to do," Jones manager Malki Kawa was quoted as saying.
"It doesn't affect us one way or another financially, he is still going to get pay-per-view points, his money and none of that matters."
