Daniel Cormier would beat Jon Jones in every aspect of fighting, at least according to Cain Velasquez.
The UFC heavyweight champ has witnessed first-hand the marvelous skill set of Cormier in competitive sparring sessions at American Kickboxing Academy.
As a former Olympic wrestler, Cormier’s transition to MMA has gone over well. His professional record stands at 10-0, and he is the reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion.
Despite Cormier’s success at heavyweight, a potential superfight with Jones would be more than enough to draw his focus away from reigning over the gargantuan division.
MMAFighting.com caught up with Velasquez during a media luncheon to get his thoughts on his teammate’s MMA future.
“I think he wants to drop down [to light heavyweight]. He’s been wanting that fight with Jon Jones for a while now. We’ve definitely talked about it. [When] he does come into the UFC, he can make 205 [pounds]…He’s heavy right now. He’s like 240 [pounds] right now.
But, you know, we’ll clean up his diet really good, because the way his diet is, it isn’t the cleanest. He’s going to have to work a little bit at it, for sure. He just has to do it smart. The diet needs to be on-point. He can’t be messing around with that kind of stuff. I think he can do it.”
Jones is certainly in the market for a fresh contender.
In a little over a year’s time, the young UFC champ has left the once stacked light heavyweight division in ruins.
The odds seem to be stacked against every contender lined up to fight Jones, who is quite possibly the greatest all-around talent MMA has ever seen.
Cormier’s ever-growing striking abilities and Olympic level wrestling would be an interesting challenge for Jones. He has issued several challenges towards the UFC champ, including coaching opposite of one another on The Ultimate Fighter.
While Jones is aware of the challenge Cormier presents, he doesn’t believe the former Olympian is a marquee name in the sport.
In an interview with ESPN UK, Jones said he would prefer for Cormier to raise his stock as a UFC contender before accepting a fight.
Velasquez doesn’t agree.
“You being the champ, I believe, my opinion, is you don’t have a say in who you fight. The No. 1 guy is the No. 1 guy. Whatever. You need to take on all challenges.
…[Cormier] would beat him [Jones]. He’s fast. He’s powerful. He has the best wrestling out there. I think he beats him wherever they’re at.”
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