Jon Jones downgrades Daniel Cormier’s punching power, doesn’t believe the champ can finish him

On UFC 200 on July 9, the mixed martial arts (MMA) world will finally find out if Jon Jones has returned to his old self.

Remember, Jones didn’t look all too good against Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197 en route to capturing the interim Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight title. He’ll attempt to come off of his most lackluster Octagon performance to date and stop current champion Daniel Cormier in a rematch from UFC 182.

While Jones defeated Cormier the first time around, things will probably play out a little differently at UFC 200. Cormier has gotten better on his feet, gained vast experience in his title defense opposite Alexander Gustafsson, and will bring zero emotions with him into the cage as he tries to avenge his only professional loss to date.

But according to Jones, no matter what “DC” throws at him, he simply won’t be able to finish him.

“The funny thing about him saying that is, Daniel Cormier doesn’t punch hard,” said Jones earlier this week on the UFC Unfiltered podcast in response to Cormier pointing out his lack of highlight reel knockouts (h/t MMA Fighting) . “I think the only person I can recall him knocking out is ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. I’m not trying to offend ‘Bigfoot’ Silva but, I mean, he’s not known to have the strongest chin in the game. So, you name anybody else who he knocked out with one punch and walked away, I don’t think I’ve seen it.”

Jones further explained his reasoning by pointing out the action from his first encounter with the champ.

“In my fight with Daniel Cormier, he always talks about how I was working his body and I kicked him in the ribs and I kneed him in the ribs, and these body shots that really sent a shockwave going through his body,” added Jones. “But at no point in the fight did one of his punches do anything to me, or kicks. At no point in the fight did he get me to bleed. At no point in the fight did he get me to lose my breath or to look up at the clock out of frustration. At no point did he wobble me with a punch. I mean, Daniel Cormier caught me with like 60 uppercuts in that fight, and I’m exaggerating. Not one of those uppercuts did anything to me.”

UFC 200 could be the final chapter in this rivalry and the most important performance of Jones’ illustrious career.

On UFC 200 on July 9, the mixed martial arts (MMA) world will finally find out if Jon Jones has returned to his old self.

Remember, Jones didn’t look all too good against Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197 en route to capturing the interim Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight title. He’ll attempt to come off of his most lackluster Octagon performance to date and stop current champion Daniel Cormier in a rematch from UFC 182.

While Jones defeated Cormier the first time around, things will probably play out a little differently at UFC 200. Cormier has gotten better on his feet, gained vast experience in his title defense opposite Alexander Gustafsson, and will bring zero emotions with him into the cage as he tries to avenge his only professional loss to date.

But according to Jones, no matter what “DC” throws at him, he simply won’t be able to finish him.

“The funny thing about him saying that is, Daniel Cormier doesn’t punch hard,” said Jones earlier this week on the UFC Unfiltered podcast in response to Cormier pointing out his lack of highlight reel knockouts (h/t MMA Fighting) . “I think the only person I can recall him knocking out is ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. I’m not trying to offend ‘Bigfoot’ Silva but, I mean, he’s not known to have the strongest chin in the game. So, you name anybody else who he knocked out with one punch and walked away, I don’t think I’ve seen it.”

Jones further explained his reasoning by pointing out the action from his first encounter with the champ.

“In my fight with Daniel Cormier, he always talks about how I was working his body and I kicked him in the ribs and I kneed him in the ribs, and these body shots that really sent a shockwave going through his body,” added Jones. “But at no point in the fight did one of his punches do anything to me, or kicks. At no point in the fight did he get me to bleed. At no point in the fight did he get me to lose my breath or to look up at the clock out of frustration. At no point did he wobble me with a punch. I mean, Daniel Cormier caught me with like 60 uppercuts in that fight, and I’m exaggerating. Not one of those uppercuts did anything to me.”

UFC 200 could be the final chapter in this rivalry and the most important performance of Jones’ illustrious career.