What Happened to Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier? | Explained
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier had one of the best rivalries in the history of the UFC.
In this page, we will detail exactly what happened with Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier to form the rivalry, and if things have changed after Cormier's retirement.
What Happened to Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier?
Unlike other rivalries that end after a fight when fighters typically show each other mutual respect, the Jones and Cormier never ended.
Jones and Cormier would fight before their fight, twice inside the octagon, and still bicker back and forth even after Cormier's retirement.
Undefeated Daniel Cormier (15-0) vs reigning champion Jon Jones (20-1-0). UFC 182.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 4, 2015
Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/piLLdmEvgm
How Did Their Rivalry Start?
The rivalry started with Jones jokingly saying to the Olympian, Cormier "Oh you're a wrestler, I bet I could take you down" while he met him for the first time.
Cormier did not take kindly to those words.
Ironically at that time, Jones was still months away from winning his first UFC title, and Cormier was still in the Strikeforce organization, in the Heavyweight division.
Although it seems like a harmless comment to us, this would set off a chain of events that would lead these two to a collision course.
Fight at the Stare Down
In the lead-up to their fight, Jones and Cormier would partake in the standard stare-down that is done between fighters.
Typically fighters can get within inches of each other and stare at each other while the media takes pictures.
Additionally, the fighters can "Size each other up" and get a close look at one another for the first and last time before their fight.
There is no physical contact allowed during this event.
Famously in their staredown, Jones would bump his head against Cormier, and Cormier would retaliate by pushing Jones back by the throat.
Jones would then throw his belt on the ground, and go on to cause all-out chaos on stage, in a brawl that had the back-wall poster of the stage ripped off.
Cormier vs Jones 1
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones would finally get inside the octagon to try to settle their differences at UFC 182.
Cormier would come in sporting a 15-0 record, and Jones would hold a record of 22-1.
Jones would get the best of Cormier by being the first person to take Cormier down inside of the octagon and securing a unanimous decision win.
Still the champ! Jon Jones beats Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision. Jones hands Cormier 1st loss in the win. #UFC182 pic.twitter.com/u6pgbGuaXy
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 4, 2015
Unlike most fights where fighters are amicable with one another after the fight, 'DC' and 'Bones' could have continued fighting another 5 rounds if they were allowed.
Cormier vs Jones 2
Jones Runs Into Troubles Outside the Cage
As successful and seemingly untouchable as Jones was inside of the cage, he was his own worst enemy outside of it.
Jones would have off-the-cage troubles including hit-and-run convictions, failed drug tests, and a bunch of other unpleasant events.
Additionally, before the fight with Cormier, Jones was said to have an alarmingly low T/E ratio, which brought along suspicion of steroid use.
Attempted Rematch at UFC 200
Cormier would go on to meet Jones at UFC 200 until he didn't.
Jones would test positive for steroids and the fight would be called off.
He would be suspended for a year.
Below you can see the video of Dana White informing Cormier that the fight was called off due to Jones testing positive.
Cormier is heartbroken and explains that he trained so hard for this fight, and even asks White if he can still fight him, and even offered to sign a waiver to keep the fight on.
Actual Rematch at UFC 214
When the two finally met again in UFC 214, Jones would win by KO (head kick and punches), only to later have his win overturned to a no contest.
Jones would test positive for steroids again and would face a 4-year suspension, that turned into 15 months if he 'snitched' to USADA.
Throughout all of this, there was back and forth on social media between the two, leading Cormier to claim that Jones has been on steroids throughout his whole career.
Cormier wanted to know how he was tested by USADA his entire life, as an Olympian and a UFC fighter, and he had never tested positive once.
Whereas Jones has tested positive multiple times while claiming that he doesn't know how it got into his system.
Cormier Retires in 2020 But the Feud Continues
In 2020, DC would announce his retirement.
Despite the Jones losses, Cormier would have massive success throughout his career.
Most notably he was able to become of the few 'Double Champions' in UFC history, holding the Heavyweight championship and Light Heavyweight championship simultaneously.
Commentator Role
DC would primarily be a commentator for the UFC, and the media would still ask him about Jones.
Jones would vacate the Light Heavyweight championship and take time off to bulk up and move to the Heavyweight division.
He would begin training with Henry Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist and Double Champion in the UFC, and Cormier would catch wind of it.
Cormier would say explicit words regarding Henry Cejudo, for associating himself with Jones.
Jones would respond by saying:
Why are you such a hater, you don’t even fight no more!? Man that bitterness is real I tell ya.
Are Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier Friends Now?
Jones and Cormier are still not friends presently and don't seem to be nearing a friendship any time soon, at least in this lifetime.
When Jones would be involved in legal troubles regarding Domestic Violence, Cormier would say:
From me to this guy, we’ll never be friends. But human to human, you’ve got to get your sh*t right. And show some remorse
“When you tell a man you’re gonna kill him, there’s no peace.”
— ESPN (@espn) August 10, 2019
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones is an MMA rivalry unlike any other. (via @E60) pic.twitter.com/A3KTsGBmk3