Tag: Jon Jones

Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier: The Greatest Hits in Their War of Words

As if Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Dominick Cruz, Tim Kennedy and Cat Zingano weren’t enough reasons to tune into UFC 178 on Sept. 27, the two fighters in the main event just gave you one more:

But the MGM Grand Hotel lob…

As if Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Dominick Cruz, Tim Kennedy and Cat Zingano weren’t enough reasons to tune into UFC 178 on Sept. 27, the two fighters in the main event just gave you one more:

But the MGM Grand Hotel lobby wasn’t home to the first confrontational moment these two men have shared—it was just home to the first physical one. Long before the challenger put his hands on the champion’s throat or Jones threw punches at a downed Cormier, they participated in what can easily be considered as one of the best war of words in MMA history. 

Let your eyes guide you through the highlights.

 

Cormier’s UFC 173 Post-Fight Interview 

Though Cormier and Jones may have shared harsher words about each other prior to Cormier’s dominant performance against Dan Henderson, they meant almost nothing up until this point. After two one-sided victories as a light heavyweight, the matchup against Jones the former Olympian had long since dreamed of was closer than ever at coming to fruition. 

Considering Alexander Gustafsson was next in line for a title shot against the reigning pound-for-pound king, Cormier was poised to surgically repair his bothersome knee while he waited around for his next opponent to surface from a crowded light heavyweight division. 

As fate would have it, Gustafsson would develop a bothersome knee of his own, effectively preventing the Swedish fighter from challenging for the title and opening the door for Cormier to step in.

 

Jones Reaches Out to His Daughter 

According to Dana White, the UFC president could overhear Cormier’s daughter shouting in the background during the phone call to offer Cormier the fight. She was sure her dad would be the champion of the world.

Soon after both men agreed to step into the cage together, Jones took to a daughter of his own to let Cormier know how confident the champion and his family were about where the strap would reside on Sept. 28. 

 

Cormier Gets Creative on Instagram, Jones Responds

Cormier edited a picture, superimposing himself onto a photo of what is likely the champion’s fight against Gustafsson at UFC 165. He posted the photo in response to Jones’ decision to publicize a cut he developed during a sparring session in preparation for his next title defense. He captioned the photo with this:

September 27th I’m gonna put so many of these on [your] face @jonnybones. I can’t wait everyday I’m dreaming and thinking of you. And I’m gonna take [you] down and grind my elbow into that cut you got today. Put a bullseye on that thing. Some things should remain private. DC

Just hours later, the champion took to the same social media platform to share his sentiments on why his newest challenger is anything but. After facing challengers like Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Lyoto Machida, Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort and Glover Teixeira, Jones doesn’t think the Olympic wrestler has anything new to offer.

 

The Aftermath of the Infamous Brawl

Here we are. The war of words suddenly became something completely different. As if it wasn’t obvious before, the animosity is real—these dudes really, really don’t like each other. 

Able to back up what he said he’d be able to accomplish against his Olympic-level challenger, Jones signed into his Twitter account to gloat over his accomplishments in the brief scuffle. 

Cormier couldn’t let Jones have the last word.

With Nevada State Athletic Commission sanctions pending, here’s hoping this war reverts back to its verbal origins. If there is any more physicality without leather gloves on their hands and a referee within close proximity, this could be the most anticipated fight that never happens. 

 

Kristian Ibarra is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. He also serves as the sports editor at San Diego State University’s student-run newspaper, The Daily Aztec. Follow him on Twitter at @Kristian_Ibarra for all things MMA.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier Keep Their Battle Going on Late-Night Cable

Daniel Cormier’s shove of Jon Jones and the donnybrook it touched off sent ripples across MMA and the larger sports world. 
One thing forgotten—or acutely remembered, depending on your point of view—in the immediate aftermath of the in…

Daniel Cormier‘s shove of Jon Jones and the donnybrook it touched off sent ripples across MMA and the larger sports world. 

One thing forgotten—or acutely remembered, depending on your point of view—in the immediate aftermath of the incident was the fact that the two were on a media tour and still had a raft of interviews to conduct in promotion of their main event light heavyweight clash at UFC 178.

One of those interviews came on ESPN shortly after the brawl and offered a forum for champion and challenger to continue the sniping (though the fact that they were in separate locations kept them from renewing their physical beef). But it still wasn’t over there. This feud, for now visible like the Big Dipper in the sporting sky, once again flared up on Fox Sports Live.

The program milked the appearance for all it was worth, even filming the two men as they entered the building. Jones, looking as nonchalant about the whole thing as was humanly possible, strode into the studios with his championship belt slung over his shoulder.

The two, who asked to be separated for the interview and at times again grew heated during their dialogue, traded their versions of the events, attempted to place responsibility for the incident on the other man and promised a heated fight in September.

During a routine face-off and photo op, Jones appeared to press his forehead against Cormier‘s. Cormier responded by shoving Jones, and then the fight was on. Punches (and, at one point, even a shoe) were thrown. 

“No one stopped us,” Jones said of the fateful face-off. “I walked right up on him, he walked right up on me…I just figured it was going to be a great photo op. I didn’t figure I was going to get hit in the throat.”

Cormier responded by pointing the finger of blame at Jones.

“I figured it would be pretty cordial,” Cormier said. “And when he comes up on the stage he gets pretty close and he hits me with his forehead. There is not a man on the face of the earth who is going to do that to me.”

Neither man was injured during the fight.

Jones said the altercation gave him a new burst of motivation that he hasn’t had in years.

“This gives me a feeling of almost my first title shot again,” Jones said. “There are certain people you just can’t afford to lose to…After this situation, I couldn’t imagine not coming out with my belt. This is a must-win situation. This is exactly the fire that I needed. People can expect some violence September 27.”

Cormier did not back down from his own claims to superiority, and attempted to offer the last word on the bout.

“If you can bring a dogfight to me,” Cormier said. “Please do it.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

[VIDEO] Daniel Cormier Slams “Bully” and “Liar” Jon Jones During ESPN Sportscenter Interview

Mere hours after their media day staredown erupted into an all out brawl, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier appeared on ESPN’s Sportscenter to issue the standard apologies/continue shit-talking each other, and boy oh boy did the champ change his tune. I mean, literally. For a guy who was nearly inciting a riot during the scuffle and taunting Cormier on Instagram in the moments afterward, Jones sounded as if he was on the verge of falling asleep while atoning on ESPN’s flagship program:

You know, first of all, I’d like to give an apology to the MGM Grand, and all the fans, and all the kids who saw that. Definitely not proud of what happened today. What happened was, we had a face-off, and in the UFC it’s very common to see two athletes get very close in their face-offs; our heads touch, our nose rubs together, it’s very intimate, very passionate moment for a lot of fighters. I’ve actually never had a fighter put his hands on me by squeezing my throat. I reacted in self defense by beating up Daniel.

As you might expect, Cormier was having none of Jones’ patented fakeness and plain creepy understanding of pre-fight faceoffs…

Mere hours after their media day staredown erupted into an all out brawl, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier appeared on ESPN’s Sportscenter to issue the standard apologies/continue shit-talking each other, and boy oh boy did the champ change his tune. I mean, literally. For a guy who was nearly inciting a riot during the scuffle and taunting Cormier on Instagram in the moments afterward, Jones sounded as if he was on the verge of falling asleep while atoning on ESPN’s flagship program:

You know, first of all, I’d like to give an apology to the MGM Grand, and all the fans, and all the kids who saw that. Definitely not proud of what happened today. What happened was, we had a face-off, and in the UFC it’s very common to see two athletes get very close in their face-offs; our heads touch, our nose rubs together, it’s very intimate, very passionate moment for a lot of fighters. I’ve actually never had a fighter put his hands on me by squeezing my throat. I reacted in self defense by beating up Daniel.

As you might expect, Cormier was having none of Jones’ patented fakeness and plain creepy understanding of pre-fight faceoffs…

First off, I have actually never heard a fight get described as intimate and passionate; I have no idea what Jonny Jones is talking about. First off, you’re right. People do get close to each other. But they don’t put their head against yours and nudge you forward. In my lifetime, I will never, ever, allow a man, I don’t care if it’s Mike Tyson in his prime, I don’t care if it’s Vladimir Klitschko, no one will ever nudge me forward with their head and not expect a reaction.

I have a son; I will teach my son to never allow anyone to bully him. Jon Jones will never bully me. Jon Jones is apologizing, hey I’m glad he apologized; I apologize for our actions, but it’s so fake. Jon Jones, he’s a fake individual and he’s a fake person, and I’m going to beat him up on September 27.

Whatever. He’s weak. He’s a punk, he’s a liar, he’s a whole bunch of things he shouldn’t be proud about being.

BOOM ROASTED.

We’ll update you on the fallout from this passionate lovers quarrel as it develops. In the meantime, check out this email floating around that was allegedly sent from Dana White to Jones calling for today’s brawl. It is most likely fake, by which I mean it is 100% fake, but still, funny nonetheless.

–J. Jones

Daniel Cormier: ‘I’m the Guy Who Can Beat Jon Jones’

LAS VEGAS — On Monday morning, Daniel Cormier denied that he and Jones had any intentions of staging mock conflicts in order to sell their September 27 fight.
“I don’t talk to Jon. The fight sells itself. We don’t have to say anything,” Cormier …

LAS VEGAS — On Monday morning, Daniel Cormier denied that he and Jones had any intentions of staging mock conflicts in order to sell their September 27 fight.

“I don’t talk to Jon. The fight sells itself. We don’t have to say anything,” Cormier told Bleacher Report. “You have two of the best fighters in the world fighting each other. I think it sells itself. But no, I have not spoken to him.”

While it may be true that Cormier and Jones have no current agreement to work in concert in an effort to boost the buyrate for UFC 178, it is a certainty that it will do astronomical numbers. Anticipation for the fight was sent skyrocketing on Monday after a heated staredown between Jones and Cormier escalated into a wild brawl that collapsed a temporary stage and sent fans in attendance into raptures.

When the staredown began, Jones marched up to Cormier and got directly in his face. It was a little close for comfort for Cormier, who responded by pushing Jones backward. Jones then lunged at Cormier in an attempt to punch him. The pair fell off the back of the stage and continued fighting while UFC officials and MGM Grand security attempted to restore order.

Hours after the conclusion of the brawl, the UFC public relations machine was already in top gear. Jones and Cormier have already appeared on ESPN, and they will appear on UFC television partner Fox Sports 1 on Monday evening. Monday’s incident cast a pall on the sport of mixed martial arts, but no tears will be shed at the UFC’s headquarters here in Las Vegas.

On Monday, Cormier said he’s enjoying the latest developments in Jones’ public persona. Like many fans, Cormier believes that Jones hid his true self during the early portion of his career in an effort to be liked and well-received by as many fans as possible. Lately, however, Jones has shown more of an arrogant side via social media, and Cormier is a fan.

“It’s much different. It seems like now he’s more embracing that role of ‘I am who I am. I’m the best, and you can either love me or hate me.’ I kinda enjoy that. I think it’s refreshing,” Cormier said. “I think he was trying to protect an image that doesn’t really exist any more.

“People have seen who Jon really is. They don’t believe in what he portrayed to us in the beginning of his career. I think it’s time for him to come out of that shell and just be Jon Jones, you know? He’s kind of a d–k.”

The heat between Jones and Cormier, whether real or imagined, will likely fade, and come September 27, Cormier must prove that he is worthy of being in the Octagon with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

And make no mistake: Cormier firmly believes Jones is the best fighter in the world. The light heavyweight champion is often overlooked by his own promotion; the UFC uses the “pound-for-pound best” moniker more as a tool to sell fighters to the public than as an actual measuring stick. To Cormier, though, Jones is the best.

“He’s defended that belt seven times. He won it when he was 23 years old against Shogun, when Shogun was the man. I think he’s 22-0, essentially,” Cormier said. “Any time you can win that many fights in a row, you should be considered the best. He has shown that he’s the best, and I respect him as such.”

Jones has not shown the same level of respect for Cormier‘s skills, at least publicly. On July 31, he tweeted the following, denigrating the level of competition Cormier has faced thus far during his 2-0 run at light heavyweight.

Cormier agreed that Jones was nothing like Patrick Cummins or Dan Henderson, but he said the champion could be in for a surprise of his own.

“I have different skills than a lot of the guys he’s fought. If anyone is going to be surprised, it’s going to be him,” Cormier said. “I don’t think he has competed against someone that knows how to compete at the level I know how to compete at.”

Jones was initially scheduled to face Alexander Gustafsson, but the Swedish contender suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the fight. Cormier, who has suffered knee issues of his own over the past few months, immediately accepted the fight when offered. Cormier told Bleacher Report in May that he would accept the fight even with an injured knee and would even fight on short notice.

On Monday, Cormier reiterated that his knee is 100 percent functional and will not be an issue in the Jones fight. He said he didn’t mind waiting until January or February to face the winner of Jones vs. Gustafsson but wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to fight for a UFC championship no matter the date.

But the fight, and being acknowledged as the best in the world, means more to Cormier than just a championship belt.

“This isn’t just about winning the UFC championship. This is the culmination of a lifetime of athletics,” he said. “This is the 15-year-old kid going to Hungary to compete for a world championship. This is a guy that went to the Olympic games to try to become the best in the world. This is a culmination of a lifetime of competition.”

On Tuesday, Cormier and Jones will travel to Los Angeles, where they are scheduled for another media tour stop. It is hard to imagine the bad blood boiling over again the way it did on Monday. Nobody, however, would be surprised if it happens.

But no matter what happens between Jones and Cormier between now and UFC 178, there is one simple truth Cormier would like to get across: He has great respect for Jones’ skills, standing in the sport and all he has done in his career.

He just thinks he’s better, and he intends to prove it.

“He’s going to go down as one of the best ever. But in his division, there is a guy that can beat him. That’s me,” Cormier said. “That won’t take away from anything he has accomplished so far or anything he will accomplish going forward.

“It’s just that I’m the guy who can beat Jon Jones.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones Brawl Bad for the Sport but Good for UFC Business

Poor Dave Sholler. What started as a prime gig for the UFC’s director of publicity, running the UFC 178 media day at the MGM Grand while president Dana White enjoyed a rare vacation, ended in chaos with the set in ruins, Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones sc…

Poor Dave Sholler. What started as a prime gig for the UFC’s director of publicity, running the UFC 178 media day at the MGM Grand while president Dana White enjoyed a rare vacation, ended in chaos with the set in ruins, Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones scrambling on the ground and even a single shoe flying through the air.

There’s a lot to digest here. It was a moment that was bad for the sport yet good for business, one likely to enrage critics and galvanize interest in equal measure.

But first, before Cormier walked away with a single shoe, before Jones cut an Instagram video (since removed) proclaiming his challenger was “weak” and before the UFC prepared its Las Vegas offices for what will certainly be a fleet of Brink’s trucks filled with cash, there was Sholler‘s moment of heroism.

On one side was Cormier. Olympian. Citizen. Gifted in the fistic arts. Fast approaching on the other side was Jones, the world light heavyweight champion, hate in his eyes and violence in his heart.

Sholler was not the target. But collateral damage is damage just the same. Sholler had a job to do—keep the two combatants separated at all costs. And so he stepped into the fray. It was as brave as it was fruitless. He ended up on his backside, dispatched with a two-handed shove, almost courteously, as Jones stalked.

It started gently, with Jones pressing his head down on Cormier‘s as the two faced off, a photo you’ve seen a million times before and will see a million times going forward. It was almost intimate, devoid of context. But for Cormier, the physical contact was too much. He responded with a shove to the face. Jones responded with a left hand. 

And then the bodies hit the floor.

Jeremy Botter, live on the scene for Bleacher Report, sent this report:

When the brawl started, the crowd started screaming even louder than they were during the faceoff, which was already intense for Poirier and McGregor. When Jones rushed Cormier and they went off the riser, several of us jumped up to get a better view of what was happening. I saw the UFC’s head of security holding Cormier back while Cormier tried to upkick Jones in the face.

While we were standing on the stage, a bunch of fans came over the barricade behind us and rushed up on the stage. MGM security was screaming at everyone to get off the stage. At this point, I moved off and went over to the side of the stage, and they got everyone under control. The fans were moved back outside the barricade. None of them were hurt, but it could have been so much worse.

It was a crazy thing to be a part of. These press conferences are usually routine, but this was anything but, obviously. 

This kind of tomfoolery can have a powerful impact on a fight’s promotion. For boxers Dereck Chisora and David Haye, a press-conference brawl ended in unprecedented business, the two packing 30,000 fans into a British soccer stadium. For Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, a brawl led to astounding box-office success, a then-record $54.95 spectacle that sold almost two million homes on watching the two heavyweights slug it out.

But that kind of violence can also backfire spectacularly. Jason “Mayhem” Miller attempted to use in-cage chaos to promote a potential rematch with Strikeforce champion Jake Shields. Instead, an impromptu brawl helped CBS make the decision to drop MMA from the network altogether. Miller never got his rematch. Strikeforce lost an important revenue stream.

The UFC, of course, is in no danger of being cancelled anytime soon. There’s little doubt, in fact, that this incident will do anything but boost UFC 178 into the stratosphere, likely making the promotion’s top fight of 2014. But it’s worth noting that the infamous brawl between Miller and Shields’ team was just four years ago. MMA is still very much establishing its reputation in the broader mainstream community. Could it be that the short-term gain of a single event’s success isn’t worth the long-term damage to the sport’s reputation?

For years, proponents of the sport have tried to explain to critics and potential converts what makes it so beautiful, why it’s more than just a glorified street fight. The athletes are among the most cerebral in any sport, combining diverse techniques with lightning speed, matching wits, guts and tactics in the most thrilling mano-a-mano confrontations in all of athletics.

Cormier and Jones, in particular, are both kinetic geniuses, two of the most thoughtful and gifted in all of professional sports. These are no mere bar brawlers. I hope someone reminds them of that before they embarrass themselves even further.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier Talk About UFC 178 Presser Brawl on ‘SportsCenter’

Just minutes after getting into a brawl at UFC 178 media day, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and 205-pound top contender Daniel Cormier appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter to discuss their impromptu skirmish as well as their upcoming sanctio…

Just minutes after getting into a brawl at UFC 178 media day, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and 205-pound top contender Daniel Cormier appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter to discuss their impromptu skirmish as well as their upcoming sanctioned bout.

The two appeared from separate rooms and exchanged barbs in a lightly moderated discussion. Jones started things off by apologizing for the skirmish, saying he was sorry to the fans and MGM Grand Garden Arena officials in particular. Cormier interjected by yelling, “So fake!”

When asked about the brawl, each fighter blamed the other. Jones said he reacted “in self-defense” to Cormier’s shove by “beating up Daniel.” Cormier said, “I will never allow a man to nudge me forward with his head” and called Jones a “bully.” Cormier also repeatedly referred to Jones as “son.” As things wore on, Cormier attacked Jones’ character, saying, “He’s a punk, he’s a liar, he’s dishonest.”

Throughout the interview, Jones was soft-spoken and apologetic, while Cormier was unrepentant for his actions. While Jones tried to come off as a victim, however, he repeatedly barbed Cormier after the melee on Twitter, something ESPN’s Todd Grisham called him on.

For those who missed it, Jones and Cormier came to blows earlier in the day at a UFC 178 press conference. While doing the usual promotional staredown, Jones got in Cormier’s face, prompting a hard push back, which was then met with a big punch from Jones. All this happened right in front of the media, which captured dozens of photos and videos.

You can check out the full video, per MMA Junkie, and some of the gems from the aftermath on B/R’s “Twitter Reacts” piece.

It is unknown what, if any, punishment will be handed down from the UFC or Nevada State Athletic Commission. Either way, even though the Jones vs. Cormier bout was already receiving all sorts of hype even before Monday’s events, it has suddenly become the hottest topic in combat sports.

Jones and Cormier are set to face off at UFC 178 on September 27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stick with Bleacher Report for more details on the card as they become available.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com