Manager Malki Kawa speaks on behalf of Jon Jones right after Daniel Cormier’s win at UFC 226 on Saturday night.
UFC champion Daniel Cormier made history on Saturday night. With a first-round knockout win over Stipe Miocic, the 39-year-old fighter became the second fighter in the UFC to simultaneously hold world titles at two weight divisions.
It is an impressive feat which officially puts “DC” in the “greatest of all-time” conversation. It is a fact that even rival Jon Jones recognizes.
On Monday, Jones manager Malki Kawa appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on ESPN to speak on behalf of the former 205-pound champion.
“I guess now we can say welcome to the club. He’s actually a champion,” Kawa said of Cormier (transcript via MMA Mania). “He won the Heavyweight championship and no one can take that way from him, he is the heavyweight champion of the world.”
“So that was one thing. He said, ‘Malk, this is the best that that could’ve happened because now I have the choice to come back and kick his ass at Light Heavyweight or heavyweight.’ So he was just happy, excited.”
One of the things that Cormier has repeatedly mentioned was how Jones was unable to fight and win a title at heavyweight. From their end, Jones’ team is not too bothered by it, as they are simply looking forward to Jon’s return, whichever weight class it may be.
“When you beat a guy twice and the second time was more than convincing than the first time, Jon is not the type of guy that says ‘It should’ve been me,’” Kawa said. “He says, ‘Great, now it’s my time to come back and it’s my choice to be heavyweight or light heavyweight.’ And that’s awesome.”
Jones’ return remains in limbo, as he has yet to undergo arbitration with USADA, where he faces a potential four-year suspension.