Jon Jones gets confronted by Daniel Cormier's former training partner: Throwback
The rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier will be remembered as one of the best in UFC history. Jones is gearing up for his octagon return against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 on March 4, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, United States.
Back in May 2019, Jon Jones was spotted at a fitness expo in England promoting GAT Sport Nitraflex Advanced Pre-Workout Powder, which assists professional athletes in enhancing their athletic performance and transforming their physiques. Abraham Kawa, a prominent MMA manager and co-founder of First Round Management, accompanied Jones to the event.
During the event, a member of the audience appeared to have taken issue with Jon Jones' seemingly new image and questioned 'Bones' about his emotional and behavioral adjustments:
"You [Jones] pretend to be a nice guy. You know you're a di*khead. Everyone here knows you're a di*khead."
As Kawa and security tried to de-escalate the situation, Jon Jones stepped in and said:
"Do not hold him back."
Check out the video below:
if Jon Jones says “do not hold him back” bad things are about to happen to you https://t.co/VBt5utu7YD
The aggressor, Chi Lewis-Parry, is an undefeated English kickboxer. He has trained at the American Kickboxing Academy, which is home to Jones' rival Daniel Cormier. Lewis-Parry signed with the UFC in 2020 and then got a 4 year USADA ban.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) suspended the kickboxing star for four years for breaking the UFC's anti-doping rules. Lewis-Parry was in the promotion’s testing pool despite not having a fight scheduled.
USADA issued the suspension following a judgment by an independent arbitrator during a hearing on November 10, 2020. In September 2019, he tested positive for drostanolone, stanozolol metabolites, and dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT) metabolites in two out-of-competition tests.
Furthermore, USADA reported that they discovered that Lewis-Parry had submitted falsified evidence, specifically a tainted supplement, to the agency and arbitration. Lewis-Parry claimed the positive test result was the result of a tainted supplement.
@AndyHall__ Chi Lewis-Parry, undefeated English kickboxer, trained with DC/AKA, signed to the UFC in 2020 and then got a 4 year USADA ban
Jon Jones attempts to bury the hatchet and expresses gratitude to longtime adversary Daniel Cormier
Jon Jones has matured over the past several years, and despite having one of the sport's biggest rivalries with Daniel Cormier, 'Bones' has publicly tried to bury the hatchet with his former rival.
Cormier recently reacted to statements made by Jones and the two appear ready to put their animosity behind them. Nothing is set in stone just yet, but the fighter-turned-commentator might be in the broadcast booth at UFC 285, which marks the heavyweight debut of Jon Jones.
In a series of social media posts, Jones gave Daniel Cormier the credit he deserves and stated:
"In all seriousness DC, I’m cool with you bro. I recognize the man you are, I wasn’t lying when I said those things in my post-fight interview. Outside of us being fierce competitors, I dig the way you represent yourself, the wrestling community, our community, and our sport... Sit-down interview, post-fight interview, coaches meeting. We’re cool man, for real. I appreciate your competitive nature, you drove me to be a better competitor. Forever grateful."
Check out the tweets below:
In all seriousness DC, I’m cool with you bro. I recognize the man you are, I wasn’t lying when I said those things in my post fight interview. Outside of us being fierce competitors I dig the way you represent yourself, the wrestling community, our community, and our sport
Sit down interview, post fight interview, coaches meeting. We’re cool man for real. I appreciate your competitive nature, you drove me to be a better competitor. Forever grateful.