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UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier doesn’t want Jon Jones to be part of the Greatest of All-Time conversation.
Just based on his dominant UFC run, many would easily consider Jon Jones as one of the greatest fighters of all-time. His biggest rival Daniel Cormier, however, says “Bones” shouldn’t even be part of that conversation.
“When you talk about the greatest fighters of all-time, there are layers to it,” Cormier explained in a recent appearance on TMZ Sports (transcript by BJPenn.com). “It’s such a discussion in terms of how you are speaking. A person’s ideas are what drives that discussion.
“I really do believe when you break down the greatest fighters of all-time, anyone with any accusation against their name should be omitted. I just think that is the way it is.”
Jones’ personal life has been riddled by controversy over the years, from failed drug tests, to hit-and-run cases, to battery allegations. Similarly, another supposed shoe-in for MMA “GOATs” is Anderson Silva, whose name was tainted by two UFC drug test failures in a span of two years.
For Cormier, who was never connected to any controversy, both fighters being part of this esteemed list is a bit questionable.
“I like Anderson (Silva), he is a great guy, a great champion, (Jon) Jones is a great fighter,” he said. “But, anytime you have anything attached to your name, I think you should be out. You are not supposed to do it.
“But, Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson, those guys along with myself and a few others should be considered the greatest fighters of all-time. You will never come to a universal decision because it is so subjective.”
Cormier is looking to further cement his legacy as an all-time great when he defends the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in a rematch. The two will headline UFC 241, which takes place this Saturday, August 17th, at the Honda Center in Anaheim.