Jon Jones Sounds Off on Lifelong UFC Rival Daniel Cormier

In a candid and explosive interview with Red Corner MMA posted on X, Jones offered an honest review of Cormier’s conduct during production. He described an atmosphere where genuine camaraderie was nonexistent.

"There were moments where we got to laugh, but for the most part, he’s a dickhead," Jones stated. "Look at the way he treats his staff members. He brought 10 yes-men out with him, and he just bosses guys around. In the times we weren’t filming, he wasn’t very sociable with the people on set."

This critique of Cormier’s character extended beyond mere professional disagreement. Jones doubled down, questioning his rival's character and motivations:

"What a stuffy d—head Cormier really is. I think if you really get to know Daniel Cormier, he’s an a—hole," Jones continued. "He didn’t really connect with any of the fighters here. He's just an a—hole. I tried to make peace with him many times, and he made it very clear that he wants to be enemies for the rest of his life because of how lucrative it is."

These harsh comments stand in stark contrast to Jones's pre-filming optimism, where he publicly hoped the show would be "a great opportunity for us to mend this jacked-up relationship" and "maybe start a friendship". 

Cormier’s Side of the Story

Cormier, for his part, has acknowledged their history of bad blood but stated before filming that being around Jones was less hostile now that their fighting days were over, claiming they could "be in the same area without trying to fight each other." 

He revealed this fact during his own interview with Red Corner MMA on their YouTube channel:

However, he also expressed deep skepticism about Jones's sudden friendly approach, questioning their authenticity in light of a provocative video message he received from Jones inviting him to the show.

Jones vs. DC Down the Line?

The competitive fire between the two clearly never went away. Throughout filming, Cormier and Jones both confirmed that arguments were frequent, often centering on the possibility of a future fight, albeit outside the MMA cage.

Cormier has been vocal about his desire to meet Jones in a boxing ring or on the wrestling mats for Real American Freestyle Wrestling (RAF), confidently predicting a dominant victory. 

This potential grappling match remains a persistent topic, with Cormier adding, "We gotta do something... if he steps on that line, I’m tech-falling him 10-0."

The legacy of their Octagon battles continues to fuel their rivalry, long after their last fight in the UFC. Their stint on ALF Reality, a series that is getting increasing attention because of its chaotic environment, was always likely to rekindle their genuine dislike of one another.

For both Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, some rivalries are simply built to last. Any notion of friendship has been scrapped for now.