- Jon Jones heaped praise on Daniel Cormier in a series of tweets ahead of his heavyweight debut at UFC 285
- DC thinks his former UFC rival is now maturing but he isn’t sure about why “Bones” wants him to call his upcoming fight with Ciryl Gane
Debuting UFC heavyweight Jon Jones has proven that there’s no animosity between him and former rival Daniel Cormier. Jones heaped praise on DC after he invited him to call his upcoming title fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
A genuine Jon
Jones and Cormier were never the best of friends for obvious reasons. Their rivalry carried on for years but apparently, “Bones” has genuinely put an end to it in a recent series of tweets.
“In all seriousness DC, I’m cool with you bro. I recognize the man you are, I wasn’t lying when I said those things in my post fight interview. Outside of us being fierce competitors I dig the way you represent yourself, the wrestling community, our community, and our sport,” Jones tweeted.
In all seriousness DC, I’m cool with you bro. I recognize the man you are, I wasn’t lying when I said those things in my post fight interview. Outside of us being fierce competitors I dig the way you represent yourself, the wrestling community, our community, and our sport
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 17, 2023
“Sit down interview, post-fight interview, coaches meeting. We’re cool man for real,” he continued. “I appreciate your competitive nature, you drove me to be a better competitor. Forever grateful.”
Sit down interview, post fight interview, coaches meeting. We’re cool man for real. I appreciate your competitive nature, you drove me to be a better competitor. Forever grateful.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 17, 2023
The bad boy is finally maturing
Jones’ rare and unexpected comments came after he gave Cormier his blessing to call his UFC return as he believes DC is the right guy who could give justice to his performance. Cormier reacted to it and admitted that though he wasn’t sure if it was a genuine or back-handed compliment, he thinks “Bones” is starting to hit maturity.
In all fairness to Jones, regardless of their past, he has been consistent in showing respect to Cormier. Prior to this, the former longtime light heavyweight champ said, “it’s awesome when a fighter can retire and use his voice and intelligence to do something that he loves,” as he commended DC’s post-fighting success.
Jones and Cormier faced each other in two blockbuster title fights at light heavyweight in the past. Jones beat Cormier via unanimous decision at UFC 182 in 2015. The same thing happened in the rematch at UFC 214 in 2017 but Jones’ win was later overturned by CSAC to a No Contest after “Bones” tested positive for a banned substance.
