As far as the fight itself, Daniel Cormier says the news of Jon Jones‘ positive test for cocaine metabolites doesn’t have much barring on the UFC 182 main event.
After scoring a unanimous decision win over Cormier on Jan. 3, Jones entered a treatment facility just three days later.
“Nah man, the fight is what it is,” Cormier told UFC Tonight. “He won the fight. I didn’t believe in any way, shape or form that I won that fight. First thing was just how unfortunate [it was]. This is a guy that has the ability to reach people at a different level. We all praise [former UFC middleweight champion] Anderson Silva for being the greatest fighter of all time and we praise all these other people but not many people can reach outside of the sport and outside of the world of mixed martial arts.
“I believe Jon is one of those people that can do that. It’s just very unfortunate that these incidents keep happening after he has these unbelievable performances where it kills his momentum. He should be a star amongst stars. He should go to places like the [ESPN] ESPY awards and be as recognized as some of the greatest basketball and football players in the world but because of the things he does outside of the Octagon, it holds him back.”
Sounding more disappointed in Jones than upset, Cormier hopes the 27-year-old champion can serve as an inspiration to others.
“Just unfortunate,” said Cormier. “Very sad. I just wish that he would get it together and be that beacon of light, beacon of hope that so many people need in the world right now.”
Despite the well wishes, Cormier made it very clear he and Jones still have their issues.
“Those feelings, when they’re 100 percent real, they don’t just go away because we fought once,” Cormier said. “No. Jon and I still have things to deal with and I think the only way we’re going to ever do that is if we stand across the cage from each other again. Going back and watching the fight, it was a tough fight, as I thought. We both did a lot of damage to each other and it’s a fight that at some point will happen again.
“You rebuild yourself brick by brick and that’s what I’m going to do after I give myself some time to allow this to burn. It needs to hurt. It needs to motivate you from the inside out. You have to let this sit inside you and burn for a while before you start trying to move on. I believe that at some point Jon and I will stand across the cage from each other and hopefully the outcome will be different.”
Cormier also hinted at some disappointment he wasn’t able to benefit from preparing opposite UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
With Velasquez injured, Cormier’s primary training partner was said to be UFC middleweight contender Luke Rockhold, who was assigned to impersonate Jones’ length.
“More than anything,” said Cormier. “I think as much as I love my team and Luke Rockhold and those guys, I needed that push that I get from Velasquez because not many people can actually push me that way for the later rounds.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘Jon Jones was contracted to fight.’ Dana White says Jon Jones had ‘a right to fight,’ so canceling the Daniel Cormier fight at UFC 182 was not an option.
‘Administrative oversight.’ The Nevada Athletic Commission comments on Jon Jones’ drug test failure.
Chat Wrap. Among other topics, Luke Thomas discusses Jon Jones’ failed drug test and entering rehab in this week’s live chat.
Good Jones vs. Bad Jones. Chuck Mindenhall discusses the dichotomy of Jon Jones. ‘When Anderson Silva talked about fighting his clone, he meant it as metaphor — that he’d only find an equal in striking blows against himself. When it comes to Jones, he’s literally fighting himself every step of the way.’
Trilogy? Dana White said Wednesday on UFC Tonight that if Anderson Silva defeats Nick Diaz at UFC 183 on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas that Silva will get the next middleweight title shot against Chris Weidman.
MEDIA STEW
Tommy Toe Hold gets fighter’s reactions to the Jon Jones cocaine fiasco in this SBN exclusive:
Free Fight: Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier.
Dana White discussing Jon Jon and other topics on UFC Tonight.
Paul Daley and other Bellator fighters react to the Jon Jones news.
Ronda Rousey talks 2015 matchups.
In Focus: Bubba Jenkins.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald training with Ben Henderson.
Long watches.
UFC champ Jon Jones pops for cocaine MMA Tete-A-Tete
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Bellator 134: The British Invasion Press conference
TWEETS
No time to party.
Skrap Pack.
Workout today with jakeshields @Mm0613ñotrainingcenter #mma joe_schilling in the back he didn’t get to… http://t.co/Jx1MdbyYnf
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) January 8, 2015
After a hard day’s work http://t.co/Ng00rDID1h pic.twitter.com/l7Uf5kds0v
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) January 8, 2015
jakeshields vs @nickdiaz209 today at the elninotrainingcenter Front row seat to some entertaining… http://t.co/kOC3oNFjqD
— Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) January 8, 2015
Nick Diaz vs joe schilling http://t.co/oxzrqONKEY pic.twitter.com/LYMDbhTtbZ
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) January 7, 2015
More Jones reactions.
I ain’t buyin it #ufcbullshit #publicitystun #bereal #cocaine http://t.co/8q9DHWgl3e pic.twitter.com/fhanIMCAs2
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 7, 2015
I may not have ever done drugs, but I’ve screwed up many times (will do so again). Best if luck to you @JonnyBones
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) January 7, 2015
Chael Sonnen got suspended for 2 years for a legal drug prescribed by a physician.
— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) January 7, 2015
Say NO to Drugs! Be smart: don’t start!
— Cheick Kongo (@kongo4real) January 7, 2015
so saddened by the @ufc handling of @JonnyBones and how that represents our sport. New era for sure, Cocaine champions allowed to compete
— Frank Shamrock (@frankshamrock) January 7, 2015
Sharing my story tomorrow at an Inpatient Drug Treatment. On overcoming addiction. @bryankramer #Sharinginspires pic.twitter.com/P7ZWer8ycf
— Court McGee (@Court_McGee) January 8, 2015
Soon.
Final spar before shipping to Boston. (Photo be Peter Rowen) pic.twitter.com/4BvqNmfESC
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 7, 2015
Definitely fight camp when I’m waking up with two black eyes. #UFC183 and Jan31st will be here soon! http://t.co/kQiqQo0Yce
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) January 7, 2015
My brother thanks for everything Miss see if appears … pic.twitter.com/feQmT4zw7p
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) January 8, 2015
Ladies need fights.
I’m thinking bethe correira is the next logical matchup. Who do you guys want to see me fight? @ufc
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) January 8, 2015
I’ll be back soon #lizbos #lizbros stay tuned. Do ya miss me? @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) January 8, 2015
I hate sitting around not fighting. The last month has been torture. Nothing’s changed.. I’ll still fight anyone, anywhere, any time
— Raquel Pa’aluhi (@RaquelPaaluhi) January 8, 2015
@seanshelby @danawhite @ufc I want to fight the champion! I deserve! please do happen! #horsewomankiller @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/sRiuISrrTp
— Bethe (@bethecorreia) January 8, 2015
and Meathead.
With all these heavyweight match ups being made I’m Jussssss sitting here like this. Wish I could be… http://t.co/kUukXrhQyR
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) January 7, 2015
Get well soon.
Huge post surgery mile stone for me today… climbing trees! Loving every bit of this Janu… http://t.co/igFohvEipD pic.twitter.com/bcPmUmsLIO
— Justine Kish (@JustineKish1) January 7, 2015
Ainda no hospital
— Jhenny Andrade UFC (@jhennyandrade10) January 8, 2015
At the docs. About to take an Xray and MRI, hopefully I get cleared from this #medicalsuspension!! Keep you all … http://t.co/QOS5edGdoT
— Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) January 7, 2015
Hmmmm.
Shawn lampman a consultant?weird he always contacted me about fights and told me not to talk to Ali anymore. pretty involved “consultant”
— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) January 8, 2015
Didn’t know consultants play matchmaker as part of their job? pic.twitter.com/8mqnRdDdtw
— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) January 8, 2015
Sounds good.
“@mmagenius05: hey @DustinPoirier, for your 1st opponent at 155 who do u like? gomi, pearson, or u have someone else in mind?” Like em both
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 8, 2015
I can fight more often at lightweight too! The weight cut to 145 took a long time to do it right
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 8, 2015
Agree?
This is @ChrisWeidmanUFC ‘s time. Silva is a hero and a legend but has been dismantled 2x by Chris. Why not rockhold or jacare @ufc #UFC
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) January 8, 2015
IMO there needs not be an asterisk by either one of those wins. 4rounds spent in octagon, Chris won all of em and finished silva twice.
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) January 8, 2015
Wasn’t sure if this was friendly or not.
This is for you @thejadebryce http://t.co/tpCRKIWw5p
— Rachelle Leah (@rachelleleah) January 7, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 7 2015)
cancelled Rashad Evans vs. Glover Teixeira at UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Teixeira
Frank Mir vs. Antonio Silva moved from UFC 184 to UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Bigfoot
Jessica Andrade vs. Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Bigfoot
Cody Gibson vs. Douglas Silva at UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Bigfoot
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via John-Paul Wolfe.
The Absurdity of Recreational Drug Testing in MMA
No good can come from discovering that Nick Diaz used marijuana or that Jon Jones had cocaine in his system a month out from his title defense. As long as fighters are not competing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol the athletic commissions and promoters should discontinue their investigation into the recreational drug use of competitors. Every minute and every dollar that is used towards discovering the recreational drug habits of combatants is taking away resources from the one and only drug test that the authorities should be interested in, PEDs. In a sport where an unfair advantage can lead to serious long term injury, all fighters should be tested to ensure an even playing field.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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