Daniel Cormier takes surprising stance on arch-rival Jon Jones' latest misdemeanor charges: "I know it’s bullsh*t"
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones might be at odds on multiple fronts given their well-advertised rivalry in the sport. However, they often shun that dynamic to speak in favor of each other— like recently when Cormier reacted to Jones' misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged altercation with drug-testing agents in March.
A woman who worked for Drug Free Sport International filed a report accusing Jones of threatening her and cursing at her while she was with a colleague at Jones' apartment for a drug test. While 'Bones' has denied the allegations, he is due in court to face a pair of misdemeanor charges. A bond hearing is scheduled in an Albuquerque court on charges that include assault and interference with communication.
While some fans may eagerly join the chorus to condemn Jones given his history of legal transgressions, Cormier has spoken in favor of his former rival. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier said:
“I know we all rush to judge Jones because of his past issues, but the reality is if a man is at his house and he’s having some drinks in the confines of his own home, so what? It’s his right to do that. If the drug testers come and he might be a little bit tipsy or messed up, maybe the interactions aren’t as fun or as easy as they may have been on other occasions. I kind of always thought it was B.S. I don’t think much is going to come of it.”
He added:
“I’m not the judge, I’m not the jury, so it doesn’t really matter. I’m just a guy that doesn’t like a guy that is actually standing up for that guy because I know it’s bullshit. It is what it is.”
Check out Cormier's comments below (3:30):
Former opponent talks about Jon Jones' misdemeanor charges
Jon Jones is back in the news for unfavorable reasons. A female agent from Drug Free Sport alleged that the UFC heavyweight champion threatened her and took away her phone when she and a colleague paid a visit to his house to test him.
Jones has been charged with assault, a petty misdemeanor, and interference with communications, a misdemeanor. Former rival Anthony Smith spoke in favor of Jones in a recent episode of Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, stating:
"If he got one of those bad ones [drug testing agents]…He’s a little bit hot-headed at times, I can understand him kind of flipping out and going off. And apparently, he was having a party, so I think he was drinking and had some friends over. They show up, started to be a**holes, kind of being disrespectful at times, I could see him kind of going off. But once you start touching people and taking their phones and stuff, that’s a problem."
Catch Smith's comments below (37:00):