Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier Face Off Nine Years Since Last UFC Fight

The announcement, made by ALF Global founder Alfredo Auditore on his social media, confirms the third season of the popular "Ultimate Fighter"-style show will feature its highest-profile coaching duo yet. 

The two were pictured facing off against each other (reposted from Auditore’s Instagram story by MMA platform, Full Violence):

This marks Jones's second stint on the series. He previously coached alongside Nate Diaz in an installment that ended chaotically after Diaz was involved in a brawl during filming. 

For Cormier, the UFC Hall of Famer and current top broadcaster, it marks a debut on this particular platform, offering a fresh battleground in his long-standing rivalry with Jones.

The history between the two legends is well-documented. Their first meeting at UFC 182 in 2015 saw Jones defend his light heavyweight title by unanimous decision, handing Cormier his first professional loss. 

The more dramatic rematch occurred at UFC 214 in July 2017, where Jones reclaimed the title with a third-round head-kick knockout. 

In the immediate aftermath, Jones praised his opponent, saying, "I want to take this time to thank Daniel Cormier for being my biggest rival and motivator... he is a true champion for the rest of his life." 

This moment of respect was short-lived, however, as the victory was later overturned to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for the banned substance turinabol, a shadow that still lingers over their rivalry and his overall legacy as a fighter.

In the years since, Cormier has moved past the results, focusing on his commentary career for the UFC, but the competitive itch remains. While the ALF Reality series may not be as tantalizing as the proposed grappling match between the two, it provides a new outlet for their contest. 

The format will see them mentor teams of aspiring fighters, with their success measured through their athletes’ performances.

For Jones, the coaching role comes amidst public campaigning for a return to the UFC for the White House event. 

Despite his status as a former two-division champion widely regarded as the sport's greatest, UFC CEO Dana White has expressed reluctance to book him on a major upcoming card, citing concerns about Jones’ reliability. 

Analyst Joe Rogan, however, remains a staunch supporter of Jones's capabilities, highlighting the champion's mental acuity.

 "Obviously, he has everything... But the fight IQ is the big one. If you don’t have a good driver, who gives a f— how fast your car is?" Rogan stated on an episode of his JRE MMA Show.

The series promises not just the development of new talent, but a continuation of one of sports' most compelling personal dramas. Whether through fiery coaching sessions, intense face-offs, or verbal sparring, the chapter of Jones vs. Cormier is far from over.