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Jon Jones Fires Back At Daniel Cormier
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier shows no signs of cooling down. The former UFC champions once again traded barbs this week after Cormier left Jones off his personal MMA Mount Rushmore during an appearance on Club Shay Shay.

Cormier Leaves Out Jones

Asked to name his all-time greats, Cormier listed Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and either Chuck Liddell or Randy Couture. Noticeably absent were Anderson Silva and his longtime nemesis Jon Jones.

Cormier explained his omission by pointing to Jones’ history with performance-enhancing drug violations.

“I don’t believe that he should be considered the greatest of all time. Steroids in fighting is much different than anything else in the world. You just can’t have that tied to your name, especially in fighting, and people call you the greatest of all time.”

While dismissing Jones’ claim to the GOAT title, Cormier did acknowledge his rival’s unmatched natural gifts:

“He’s the greatest talent the sport has ever seen. In terms of his length, his skills, his mind, he’s the most talented guy we’ve ever had.”

Jones defeated Cormier twice during his reign at light heavyweight though their 2017 rematch was later overturned to a no contest after Jones tested positive for the banned substance Turinabol. Jones also tested positive for clomiphene and letrozole in 2016. In both cases, independent arbitrators determined Jones had not knowingly cheated.

Jones Responds

Jones quickly fired back on social media, mocking Cormier’s continued focus on their rivalry:

“When DC tells his story, somehow I’m always the co-star. Thanks @ShannonSharpe84 for the invite, even if I was only there in spirit. #Airbnb.”

The UFC heavyweight champion then defended his legacy point by point:

“High school state champ, JUCO national champ, youngest UFC champion, greatest in MMA history. A lifetime of loss, victories and sacrifice and this guy wants to write it all off as steroids. Honestly, it’s insulting. But I can’t help but laugh, knowing it was God-given abilities that made him feel so inferior.”

A Rivalry That Never Ends

Cormier and Jones shared one of the most heated rivalries in UFC history, defined by two fights, bitter press conferences, and an enduring personal animosity. Even in retirement, their careers remain intertwined with Jones refusing to allow PED accusations to diminish his legacy, and Cormier unwilling to crown him as MMA’s undisputed greatest.

For fans, the war of words is just the latest chapter in a feud that continues to cast a shadow over both fighters’ legacies.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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