Daniel Cormier discusses relationship with Jon Jones after years of rivalry: "Guys don't have to do what Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield did"
Daniel Cormier wants fans to stop longing for a "happy ending" to his rivalry with Jon Jones and is content with how things are. The two Americans shared a heated rivalry across their two championship fights and aren't on amicable terms.
Jones and Cormier clashed in the octagon twice, with 'Bones' winning the first time around at UFC 182 via decision. In their rematch at UFC 214, Jones initially won via TKO, but the bout was shrouded in controversy. Jones tested positive for turinabol, a performance-enhancing drug, and the result was later deemed a no-contest.
The two fighters despised one another, as evidenced by their pre-fight trash talk and brawls. Cormier is now retired and plays a major role in the UFC broadcast, even commentating on Jones' heavyweight title win against Ciryl Gane in 2023. However, their relationship is still sour.
Talking to fans during a Q&A session ahead of UFC Edmonton, Cormier claimed that there won't be a reconciliation between the two, like how Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield had:
"We aren't great and I don't think we ever have to. I think people need to stop, like, longing for the perfect happy ending. Guys don't have to do what Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield did. Can be okay to just be okay with us being as we are. And I'm fine with it, so you guys should be too."
Check out Daniel Cormier's comments below (22:06):
Tyson famously bit Holyfield's ear during their 1997 rematch. The duo reconciled years later, with the former apologizing to the latter during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. Holyfield has since appeared on Tyson's podcast, and they've even done adverts together, referencing the infamous bite.
Check out the video below:
When Daniel Cormier said Jon Jones would've been UFC champion even without steroid use
Daniel Cormier believes Jon Jones was destined to become a UFC champion, with or without steroids. 'DC' is convinced that some insecurities in training or preparation led 'Bones' to allegedly use PEDs.
Taking to MMA Fighting in 2019, the former UFC two-division lauded 'Bones' as a talented fighter, claiming that he could've defeated him even without the performance-enhancing drugs:
"I do, 100 percent believe he would've won a UFC title... That being said, those things are done for a reason. You don't have all these issue with testing, unless you have either doubts or something in your preparation didn't truly add up. Even without all this stuff tied to the fights, I think he could've won those fights with me anyways."
Check out Daniel Cormier's comments below (3:30):