Jon Jones tries to bury the hatchet and thanks long-time rival Daniel Cormier
Jon Jones has undergone some personal growth over the past few years and despite once having one of the biggest rivalries in the sport with Daniel Cormier, the Hall-of-Famer has publicly tried to bury the hatchet with his former foe.
'DC' recently responded to comments made by the former 205lb king, with the two seemingly ready to leave the past behind them and move away from their bitterness towards one another. Although nothing is official as of yet, the fighter-turned-commentator could be ringside for his fellow athlete's heavyweight debut.
In a number of posts on social media, Jon Jones deservedly gave Daniel Cormier his flowers as he highlighted just how great the man is as a staple for both wrestling and mixed martial arts as a whole.
"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."
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.
Jones is currently preparing to step back into the octagon after a three-year hiatus when he collides with popular European, Ciryl Gane. The two are set to compete for the vacant heavyweight throne and headline UFC 285 in less than a month's time.
Though it's unclear whether Daniel Cormier will be one of the men on call during the huge matchup, it will be an iconic moment if the two can sit down and publicly settle their differences in a pre-fight interview ahead of the event.
What happened during the two occasions Jon Jones met Daniel Cormier in combat?
Having feuded for some time, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier finally got to lay hands on one another at UFC 182 back on January 3, 2015.
In a closely contested bout, 'Bones' came out on top with a unanimous decision victory and cemented his claim as being the best fighter in the world, but the two would meet again just two years later.
After four straight wins since the loss, Cormier got a second chance at beating his long-term rival. While it was a very competitive clash, Jones managed to land a huge head kick and subsequent punches, earning the knockout victory—though the bout was later overturned into a no-contest.
On this day in 2017.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier re-ignited their rivalry at UFC 214 🔥 https://t.co/XvKYR3yS07