Cormier Sides With Jon Jones

Daniel Cormier has reacted to Jon Jones’ request for release from his UFC contract.

The friction started after UFC CEO Dana White excluded Jones from the UFC Freedom 250 (White House) card, shutting down Jones’ claims of active negotiations and suggesting the heavyweight champion is effectively retired due to medical issues. Despite their bitter history, Cormier admitted that seeing one of the greatest fighter in the sport’s history at odds with the organization is difficult to watch. While Cormier previously urged White to “give Jon a chance” on the White House card back in September, he now believes the bridge may be permanently burned.

Cormier On Jones

“Here’s where I’m lost: Jon Jones has had a lot of interactions with the UFC, positive and negative, right? So why would he be so hurt by it if there’s something he knows isn’t being given to the public? There have been many occasions when [Jon and Dana] have talked negative about each other, and haven’t been able to come to terms. Sometimes on Jon’s doing, sometimes on the UFC’s doing. So why would he be so hurt now?

“Because it was made to seem he would never be on the White House card…it seemed like his feelings were hurt because [Dana] was calling him a liar. It’s hard to get that upset when someone’s actually shown you that behavior before, but right now, it just seems like it really bothered him, and I’ve called him everything! [LAUGHS].“I think it was honestly because the White House thing meant something to him. He’s not getting released. I think zero percent he gets released…there’s no way you can release Jones, because then if [Jones vs. Francis Ngannou] can be made outside of the UFC, that’s giving someone power. So there’s no way that he can fight anywhere else,” Cormier said

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