Jon Jones struggled with big guys in the past, but will still bring more challenge and fun to heavyweight, says Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier believes Jon Jones would be a great addition to the UFC heavyweight (265-pound) division. Jones, a former UFC light heavyweight (205-pound) champion, last competed in February 2020 and subsequently started preparing for his heavyweight debut.
Former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier fought Jones twice at light heavyweight. Cormier lost their first fight via unanimous decision in January 2015 and their rematch via third-round KO in July 2017. However, their rematch verdict was later overturned to a No Contest (NC) after Jones tested positive for banned PEDs.
Speaking to former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman for the MMA on SiriusXM podcast, Daniel Cormier referenced Jon Jones' struggles against some of the "bigger guys" at light heavyweight. He suggested that Jones might similarly struggle against the bigger heavyweights. Regardless, predicting that 'Bones' would fare well at heavyweight, Cormier stated:
"I think he'll be fine. The guy's a good fighter; very talented. I think he'll do well at heavyweight."
Daniel Cormier indicated that the heavyweight division is currently more exciting than it's been in a long time and Jones making his long-awaited heavyweight debut would make the division even better. Cormier said:
"There are some of the matchups that he can be involved in with Francis Ngannou, Ciryl Gane, and Curtis Blaydes -- It makes for an idea of some big-time fights. But not even him, but [Sergei] Pavlovich after watching what he did to Tai Tuivasa and to everybody recently. There's some dangerous fights for him [Jones], especially when you look back on his light heavyweight career and see how he struggled, at times, with bigger guys. So, I think he'll be fun to add [to the heavyweight division]. But I think there's some big-time matchups in there for him. But I think he'll do fine."
Watch Cormier discuss the topic in the video below:
"I think the moment he makes the actual jump into the HW division, it will make for the division to be much more fun."
Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) discusses what Jon Jones brings to an already exciting HW division.
DC's FULL convo w/ @chrisweidman ⬇️
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chr… https://t.co/SEybw4crcm
Chael Sonnen on the toughest matchup for Jon Jones in the UFC heavyweight division
As confirmed by UFC president Dana White, Jon Jones will likely make his heavyweight debut in 2023. Moreover, it's believed that Jones could face UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou for his title at UFC 285 on March 4, 2023. However, if Ngannou doesn't re-sign with the UFC, the organization could book Jones against Curtis Blaydes.
Speaking of which, Chael Sonnen named Curtis Blaydes as the toughest heavyweight matchup for Jon Jones. He acknowledged that if the Jones-Ngannou matchup doesn't materialize, Jones would probably fight Blaydes instead. In an edition of Beyond the Fight, Sonnen asserted:
"The toughest matchup for Jon, if you just wondered about Jon Jones. The toughest X's and O's matchup that we see out there is Curtis Blaydes."
Watch Sonnen's assessment below: