Daniel Cormier has gone on record to say that his biggest rival, Jon Jones, will be highly-successful in his transition up to the Heavyweight division. After all, he cleaned out the Light Heavyweight division, including beating “D.C.” himself.
But while the former “champ-champ” is giving “Bones” his due credit and believes he can win in the 265-pound weight class, he won’t be getting those victories via knockout. During a recent edition of the “DC & Helwani” podcast, Cormier gave his thoughts on Jones’ knockout power…or lack thereof.
“Jon Jones will not knockout anyone at Heavyweight. He doesn’t hit hard enough,” explained Cormier. “If he couldn’t knock these dudes out at 205-pounds, he’s not knocking these Heavyweights out.”
Of course, Jones did knockout Cormier at UFC 214 but that win was eventually overturned to a no contest (NC) after “Bones” failed a post-fight drug test. Despite the win getting overturned, Cormier went on to say that the way he lost to Jones that night haunts him to this day. Furthermore, Jones does have 10 other knockout/technical knockout wins on his resume, including big ones over Mauricio Rua, Alexander Gustafsson and Chael Sonnen.
Naturally, the Heavyweight division is an entirely different beast with fighters weighing anywhere between 250 and 265 pounds and higher come fight night. But Jones has been putting in the work to get his physique up to par by adding a lot of size and muscle. Plus, he was already a big Light Heavyweight so his strength will only increase and come into play come fight night.
Whether or not it’s enough to lay out some of the biggest boys UFC has to offer, remains to be seen. His first chance to prove Cormier wrong will either be against current division champion, Stipe Miocic, or Francis Ngannou as they prepare to run it back in the main event of UFC 260 on March 27.