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Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones have what is without a doubt the most bitter rivalry in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA). But after losing to “Bones” on two separate occasions, Cormier recognizes the greatness in the Light Heavyweight champion of the world, and is quick to give him his props in that aspect despite their differences.
After spending plenty of time inside the Octagon with Jones, “DC” has come to the conclusion that there isn’t another 205 pounder on the planet that can beat him, saying it’s going to take a Heavyweight actually knocking out Jones to hand him his first loss.
“I don’t know who beats Jon Jones,” Cormier admitted during a recent interview with BT Sport. “I really don’t, and obviously you guys know my feelings towards him, but he’s good, man. I think it’s going to take a heavyweight. It’ll be one of those guys – one of those big, big guys that will shut the lights out. I just don’t know if those guys can beat Jones over 25 minutes.”
While Cormier was the former Heavyweight champion for UFC, both of his losses to Jones came at 205 pounds.
”Bones” has teased a move to the 265-pound weight class in the past, and since he’s pretty close to cleaning out his current division, a move up may happen this year or the next. But there’s a champion at Middleweight who has been eyeing a showdown against Jones, as Israel Adesanya hasn’t been shy in taking digs at the champ every chance he gets.
But does he have the chops to take down Jones?
“He’s a good fighter,” Cormier said when talking about Adesanya. “He has so many weapons and, look at me, I feel I’m one of the greatest fighters of all time, and he (Jones) beat me twice,” he added.
“So, that says a lot about who he is as a competitor. But can Israel fight him? Yes, especially if Jon takes the wrong approach to fighting ‘Izzy.’ You fight Israel Adesanya, you better go get some takedowns because if you stand with him, he’s dangerous for anybody.”
Unfortunately, Adesanya has a lot of work to do at 185 pounds before he moves up to challenge Jones, and “The Last Stylebender” has already stated a potential showdown won’t happen until 2021.
For now, Jones has another challenge ahead of him at 205 pounds, as he is set to defend his title against Dominick Reyes in the main event of UFC 247 on Feb. 8, 2020 in Houston, Texas.