Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were quick to reignite their pre-UFC 182 beef from last year, heading into their upcoming UFC 197 bout in April, and it looks like they’ll be going at it right up until fight day.
Sometimes (perhaps even often) two guys that couldn’t care less about one another find just enough animosity to play out some drama while the cameras are rolling. We see it all the time in the MMA world. Does Michael Bisping really dislike Anderson Silva? If you heard him talk about the former middleweight champion after their bout, it became pretty clear that “The Count” has nothing but respect for him. And yet, he was more than happy to talk a lot of smack at pressers or in interviews.
I don’t think that’s what’s going on with Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier. The two men started sniping at one another heading into their UFC 182 bout back in January of 2015. They even got into a bit of a scrap at one of the press conferences leading up to it. And even after they fought, that mutual animosity has never really cooled.
Now that they’re back in close quarters with one another, building up the hype to UFC 197 in April, where Jones will now be challenging for the title that DC won during the former champ’s exile, things are starting to boil over again. At the UFC “Unstoppable” press conference, Jones and DC spent a lot of time going back and forth, but it didn’t stop once the cameras were gone as the two men continued chipping away at one another in the parking lot, post-event.
MMA Mania transcribed the continuing war of words:
Jones: “You’re the lamest bitch ass I’ve ever met, bro.”
Cormier: “What does that make you?”
Jones: “Talking all this shit outside with your bodyguards.”
Cormier: “When have I ever backed down from a fight with you?”
Jones: “Daniel, suck my dick, man. Fuck your cheerleading squad.”
Just 41 days left until they step in the cage. Somehow I don’t think things will be getting quieter between then and now.