Following Anthony Johnson’s 13-second knockout of Glover Teixeira at UFC 202, Johnson immediately called for a rematch against champion Daniel Cormier, who was in the audience. Cormier took to Twitter to confirm he is more than willing.
.@dc_mma vs @Anthony_Rumble is gonna happen. This man deserves a shot and I’m more than willing to give it. See you soon Johnson! #andstill
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2016
With Jon Jones seemingly out indefinitely and his status as interim champ hard to pin down, No. 1 ranked Johnson, who has won his last three fights since losing via rear naked choke to Cormier in May 2015, is the obvious choice for Cormier‘s next title defense.
Jones’s manager Malki Kawa defended his client, who is facing a possible suspension of two years following a failed drug test prior to UFC 200. Jones had his light heavyweight title stripped after being arrested for hit-and-run felony charges in April 2015. He was reinstated in October 2015 and won the interim belt in April 2016 with a unanimous decision over Ovince St. Preux in his return to the promotion.
Makes sense. I’d rather fight a guy I beat than lost to. 🙄”@dc_mma: .@dc_mma vs @Anthony_Rumble is gonna … https://t.co/ZHtpBSZFXc
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) August 21, 2016
Cormier, however, has no interest in a rematch with Jones, who beat him via unanimous decision in January 2015.
Won’t fight jones next. I am fighting rumble. He’s here. He’s deserving Won’t fight jones. https://t.co/YYpkLdmd8i
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2016
Or he won’t show up. Something will happen. Been booked 4 times fought once. I need a break https://t.co/XRHkJOsyIG
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2016
With Jones’s future in MMA uncertain and having pulled out of their rematch for UFC 200 just days beforehand, it’s no surprise Cormier has no interest in the nebulous possibility of perhaps facing Jones again someday.
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