The former light heavyweight champion plans to send Daniel Cormier into retirement after UFC 197.
As UFC 197 draws nearer, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier continue to up the ante with their trash talk. The two light heavyweights have a rivarly dating back 2014, when they were announced to lock horns at UFC 182.
“Bones”, who was recently reinstated to the UFC roster after being served with 18-months’ probation for hit-and-run, defeated “DC” via unanimous decision and taunted him with the D-X ‘Suck It’ pose after the fight. The 28-year-old picked up from where he left off at the recent ‘Unstoppable’ press conference, antagonizing Cormier with another WWE-style gimmick.
The former Olympian has regularly featured as a UFC analyst, partnering with Kenny Florian to host UFC Tonight, and Jones used it as an opportunity to fire more trash talk his way.
“I actually love that he’s a commentator. More days he’s out there in front of the camera, I just get time to hang out in the gym and get that much farther ahead of him,” Jones said to FOX Sports after the press conference. “Let him stay in the limelight, practicing for his career after I beat him.”
Following Jones’ suspension for his involvement in a car collision last April, Cormier picked up the vacant 205-pound title by choking out Anthony Johnson at UFC 187. The American Kickboxing Academy product went on to defend the strap in a thrilling back-and-forth fight with Alexander Gustafsson, and will look to avenge his loss to Jones at UFC 197.
Jones, however, feels he’s surrounded by superior training partners and coaches, and believes his evolution as a fighter will be showcased in the Octagon.
“I’m surrounded by the best fighters. I’m testing myself against the best every single day and I feel amazing,” Jones said. “I feel right on top of my game. It’s going to show on April 23.”
The UFC 197 pay-per-view, which will host Jones vs. Cormier II in the main event, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 23rd.