In Daniel Cormier‘s eyes, Jon Jones has already surpassed Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
The Strikeforce heavyweight champion recently spoke with Bloody Elbow about Jones’ light heavyweight title defense against Vitor Belfort at UFC 152.
Jones nearly had his arm broken after getting caught in an armbar in the opening moments of the first round. Despite his arm popping from severe hyperextension, Jones was able to fend off the submission and dominate the rest of the fight to retain his UFC title.
Cormier hasn’t shied away from calling Jones out in the past, but he admits he was impressed with the young champ’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
“I think what that shows, is that Jon Jones is not only a great fighter, he’s a guy that loves being a UFC champion and everything that comes along with being the UFC champion, the fame, the money, and everything else around it. The aura of being the best fighter in the world…he really does love it.
He lives for it, and it’s not going to be easy to take that from him. He’s willing to go through the fire in order to stay in that place. He’s said in his interviews that he wanted to be the greatest fighter of all time, and people doubted his sincerity. Saturday, he showed that he meant what he said. He wants to be the best of all time, and he’s willing to do what it takes to ensure that.”
In his past five bouts, Jones has completely torched Belfort, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans.
It’s tough to find any fighter in the history of the sport with a track record matching this level of consistency against quality opposition.
Jones’ last five opponents will go down as all-time greats and UFC Hall of Famers.
Whether you love him or hate him, it would be ludicrous to downplay Jones’ sensational talent. He’s the type of talent that comes along once in a lifetime, which is why Cormier is willing to drop weight to face him.
At heavyweight, Cormier is undefeated and ranked top 10 in the world, but an opportunity to face a fighter of Jones’ caliber doesn’t come around often.
Is Cormier willing to go through fire to defeat one of the greatest talents MMA has ever seen?
“I would love to be called the best fighter in the world, and have everything else that comes along with being the UFC champion. I thought Saturday night was very telling, and it’s going to be difficult to get that belt away from him. It’s going to have to be somebody that’s in the right frame of mind, that’s willing to go through the fire with him.
I know for a fact that I’m willing to go there. I’m willing to be involved in a dirty fight, where we’re both bloodied and can hardly stand up. You have to be willing to go to a place with Jon Jones that I don’t know if many people are willing to go. I think Jon is the best fighter in the world, pound for pound. Not just at 205. In all the weight classes, he’s the best.”
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