No one makes headlines — for better or worse — quite like Jon Jones. The enigmatic ex-Light heavyweight champion of the world is the obvious talk of the town when he has a fight booked, as his shadow overpowers that of the man facing him.
But “Bones” was rather quiet over the last year following his battle with United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA), opting to let everything play out before he offered any rebuttal to fighters who were clowning him for failing a second drug test, or discrediting anything he’s ever done.
Now that’s he’s gearing up for his long-awaited return at UFC 232 on December 29, 2018, “Bones” says quite time is over, and anyone who had anything to say about his failed drug tests will now hear his wrath.
“The only reason I brought up the name of Daniel Cormier is that he brought up my name,” Jones said during the recent UFC 232 media call (see it here) via MMA Fighting. “And I just figured, when I was in trouble, I just stepped back, all summer long, and let everybody talk as much sh*t as they want, and just talk blindly, knowing no facts. I watched everybody that I beat in the past say ‘ohh, he was on steroids when he fought me the first time, that’s why he beat me.’ I just sat back and let everybody have at it,” he added.
“I stayed quiet for almost a whole year. And now I’m back, and I’m ready to reclaim my throne, and the sitting down and being quiet days are over. Daniel Cormier opened his mouth about me. He wants to sell to the people that steroids had something to do with my success. He would love it if, that’s the dialogue he wants to get out there, that’s the narrative he wants to get out there, and I want to nip it in the bud.”
Despite offering to grant “DC” another shot at him after UFC 232, “Bones” says at the end of the day Cormier doesn’t really want to throw down again, despite what he may lead you to believe.
“I challenged Cormier to be my first title defense, and let’s see what he does. I don’t think he responded yet, and I think everybody knows he doesn’t want to fight me a third time,” Jones said. “I’m not out to get Daniel Cormier. I’m here protecting myself the guy’s out there making comments about me and I’m just responding.”
Of course, “The Mauler” may have something to say about that trilogy fight come fight night.