Cormier On His Feud With Jones – ‘I’m Done Fighting Now’
Daniel Cormier says his feud with Jon Jones is over following the news they will compete as rival coaches on the third season of ALF Reality (often dubbed the “Russian TUF”).
The announcement on January 5, 2026, was accompanied by a face-off, marking the first time the pair have shared a stage in years. Their first fight at UFC 182 in 2015 was a unanimous decision win for Jones, marking the first time Cormier had ever been defeated in MMA.
Their 2017 rematch at UFC 214 was a third-round TKO win for Jones. However, the result was later overturned to a No Contest after Jones tested positive for a banned substance. Cormier recently shared that the “nasty” element of their feud has finally subsided, although he wants to face Jones in a freestyle wrestling match under the RAF.
“Being around Jon Jones is different because we had such a bad history. But, the reality is, I’m done fighting now. That part of it is gone, so it’s not nearly as nasty. We’ve done a good job of being professional as much as we can. Obviously, we argue a lot but that’s the status of our relationship.
“We’ve gotten to a point in our lives where we can be in the same area without trying to fight each other. I’m telling you, Real American Freestyle is going to see me and Jon Jones at some point. And I’m going to kick his ass like you would never believe. Because guess what, I still shoot. I still train wrestlers every single day,” Cormier said
Jones Reacts
Jones has also had his say on the matter. The former UFC Heavyweight Champion has suggested something similar. Bones retired and vacated his heavyweight belt last year in June, only to then say he was coming back. While he is hoping to fight on the UFC White House card, Dana White has said the chances of that happening are a ‘billion to one.’ But one thing which could be resolved is their feud.
“Obviously him and I have a rough history. I know he doesn’t like me very much, we’ve beaten him twice. But I think him coming out here to Thailand and filming with me would be a great opportunity for us to mend this jacked-up relationship. But I have no problems with him. I think, if anything, him coming out here would give us both an opportunity to maybe start a friendship,” Jones stated
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