Jon Jones and Anthony Johnson had everyone eating out of the palm of their hands after staging a fake fight at Saturday’s “UFC: Welcome to the Show” press conference.
Everyone, that is, except Daniel Cormier.
The former UFC light heavyweight contender believes Johnson is playing a dangerous game in putting on cooperative skits and acting friendly towards Jones. Fights are often won long before an athlete steps into the cage. Every media event spent next to an adversary is an opportunity to gain a mental edge.
When speaking on UFC 184’s post-fight show on Fox Sports 1, per MMAjunkie, Cormier was of the firm belief that Johnson missed his opportunity:
That whole little thing they did at the press conference, you don’t want to do that as a challenger. Why would Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson want to be Jon Jones’ friend? I understand good sportsmanship, but don’t let him goad you into playing games with him. You are coming to take that guy’s livelihood. You’re his opponent. You go out and get that guy.
The rehearsed brawl was aimed at pranking UFC President Dana White, a reenactment of the real brawl that took place between Jones and Cormier back in August 2014. UFC Vice President of Public Relations Dave Sholler stood in for White, who was on vacation, at a pre-fight press conference held in the MGM Grand lobby in Las Vegas.
Jones and Cormier getting a little too touchy-feely with one another during a staredown quickly escalated into thrown punches, a flying shoe and Sholler soaring through the media backdrop.
Unlike Johnson, the personal animosity wasn’t a thespian act for Cormier. Every bit of it was real, from the unparalleled smack talk leading up to the fight to both men finally meeting in the cage at UFC 182. Cormier lost a unanimous decision to Jones that night, a fate he expects Johnson to also endure.
“I love ‘Rumble’ Johnson, I think he’s great, and I think he has a fantastic chance,” said Cormier. “But I believe Jones is going to win.”
Jones returns to the MGM Grand Garden Arena to defend his UFC light heavyweight title against Johnson in the headliner of UFC 187 on May 23.
Jordy McElroy is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon and FanRag Sports.
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