Daniel Cormier believes he’s destined to be the UFC’s light heavyweight champion.
Ahead of his title challenge to the sport’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Cormier envisions a grim future for Jon Jones after they tangle at UFC 182 on Jan. 3.
“I think [Jones] falls back,” Cormier said Wednesday on UFC Tonight. “He kind of falls back into the pack. He’ll fight me right back because we’ll rematch. That’s just right. He’s won so many times they’re give him a rematch, but I think he’ll fall back. What I mean in that sense is, he does believe he’s unbeatable. He does believes he’s invincible. He doesn’t think any of the people in our division can actually compete with him, but once he knows that he can be beat, once he understands that no one is afraid of him, a guy is his equal, Jon will fall back to the rest of the division.
While not technically undefeated at 20-1, Jones has never truly lost a bout. A 2009 disqualification loss due to illegal downward elbows against Matt Hamill is the lone blemish on what otherwise would be a 15-fight win streak in the UFC dating back to 2008.
Anderson Silva holds the all-time record for longest win streak in the UFC at 16 bouts. Officially, Jones sits at 11 consecutive wins extending from 2010.
“You won’t see him winning 10 in a row anymore,” said Cormier. “He’ll win some, but then he’ll lose some, then he’ll go searching for answers. He’ll go up to heavyweight, he’ll come back down. My goal is not only to beat him and take his belt, I’m coming to throw his whole career into a tailspin. Because not only is he going to lose this fight, it’s going to put doubt and questions in his head, he’ll never be able to answer them. You’re going to see a different man whenever he gets out of that cage on Jan. 3.”
Cormier says he’d absolutely be willing to face Jones again in an immediate rematch, but that he believes ‘Bones’ would need to be convinced to take the fight.
“Right away,” said Cormier. “I’ll beat him up again. I’ll beat him on Jan. 3., he’ll come right back, I’ll beat him again. When a guy that believes the way that he is, he won’t be the same. So not only will he lose to me, but his career is going to go in a tailspin. His head will be spinning. He won’t know what’s going on. This dude’s in for a rude awakening. I’m looking to rid MMA of Jon Jones.”
Cormier faces Jones Jan. 3 in the main event at UFC 182 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Oh, Canada. Rory MacDonald says the UFC has notified him he will not be getting his UFC welterweight title shot after all.
Lost time. UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis says he wants to fight three times in 2015.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses the class-action lawsuit against the UFC, UFC on FOX 13, CB Dollaway vs. Lyoto Machida in Brazil and more in this week’s live chat.
Down and dirty. Chuck Mindendhall explains how the process of the antitrust lawsuit against the UFC is unavoidably bound to get very ugly.
‘I feel true to myself when I’m with Nike.’ Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva isn’t in love with the idea of wearing Reebok inside the Octagon.
MEDIA STEW
Rankings report, heavy on the strawweights.
Pre-fight interview with Lyoto Machida.
Teaser for Conor McGregor’s second documentary series.
CM Punk’s spots from Wednesday’s SportsCenter.
‘How to do a Frankie Edgar Takedown from a Leg kick catch’
Cody McKenzie had quite the time of it in Russia last night.
Breaking Bad’s Lavell Crawford talking Rampage, plus some nice training footage.
Long watches.
UFC Machida vs. Dollaway Care/Don’t Care Preview
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Gross Point Blank – Josh Gross, Nathan Quarry, Colin Oyama and Hector Lombard
…
#FighterAndTheKid: Brendan’s hilariously awful trip to the Zoo
TWEETS
Beefin’.
@UFCTonight @josealdojunior @TheNotoriousMMA
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 18, 2014
.@UFCTonight @josealdojunior Jose cannot fill stadiums. Thankfully however, I can. WELCOME TO EIRE!!!!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 18, 2014
Lets be real! You’re an arrogant prick and a horrible roll model #IKnowTheseTings @TheNotoriousMMA @UFCTonight
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 18, 2014
When the UFC is done milking you and no longer protects you. I will gladly humble you @TheNotoriousMMA #Clown @UFCTonight
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 18, 2014
.@CubSwanson @UFCTonight Be careful now, I might just fire your old ass.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 18, 2014
A lot of stern faces.
Almost time to spread my wings #AndStill pic.twitter.com/vmyjlrI4ki
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 18, 2014
That’s a party.
Suprise! Nice welcome! #suprise #welcome #back #home #olsztyn #poland #party #boyfriend… http://t.co/W8niAI6JeK
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) December 17, 2014
Get well soon.
34 days ago I had surgery on my right hand/wrist and today I got back into some light hitting. Feeling… http://t.co/3W3XXJ7hrB
— Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) December 17, 2014
God it feels good to be back and healthy in training camp http://t.co/f185HVaok2 http://t.co/dNiNqkE0l6 pic.twitter.com/KID6cyxItG
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 17, 2014
So looks like not only did I fight with a torn ACL. My meniscus was torn as well. #NothingWasGoingToStopMe @UFC #RoadToRecovery
— heatherjoclark (@heatherjoclark) December 18, 2014
I just stubbed my toe and I can’t even explain how much it hurts.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) December 17, 2014
Mirko Cro Cop getting shark tank’d.
If you’re interested.
Me on UFC TONIGHT 🙂 http://t.co/73xQj9yBwd
— Paige Vanzant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) December 18, 2014
Horrifying.
I became a cartoon again!! I’m always thankful for every draw!! That one is nice too! #SuperToko http://t.co/Elu32dAuv6
— Rousimar Palhares (@ToquinhoMMA) December 17, 2014
Great Christmas holiday cards.
#MartialArtistMonday came late but Christmas came early. Enjoy! @danawhite @TheNotoriousMMA @Reebok @ufc pic.twitter.com/s55wSBNndT
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) December 17, 2014
#Christmas http://t.co/CvWCCwunSR
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) December 16, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 17 2014)
Roan Carneiro vs. Mark Munoz at UFC 184
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via awkain.
Is the UFC trying to be two different animals?
Okay guys, I’m here to ask a question that is often overlooked. A question I believe is the seedling of every bitch and gripe we have when the UFC makes extremely jarring decisions. About the welfare of fighters, and in situations where an ethical and lawful response is required.
First let’s talk about the UFC’s labour force. The UFC is estimated as to having somewhere between 200-500 employees, with 7 current job openings. If this is anything accurate, I’m a little scared. The NBA has 55 current job openings, with an estimated total of 1200 employees worldwide.
So why is this an issue?
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.