UFC legends Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones had an intense rivalry, which may have come to an end since Cormier retired, but he notes that Jones still isn’t quite ready, and despite their bitter history, they were there for each other during the worst times in their personal lives.
The intense rivalry between UFC legends Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones is one of the most significant in the promotion’s history. Although Cormier retired from fighting in August 2020, he says that Jones is still not quite ready to bury the hatchet. The two fought twice for the 205-pound championship, with Jones defeating Cormier both times. However, the second win was overturned to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for a banned substance. The two were originally scheduled to fight for the first time at UFC 178, and during the press tour to promote the bout, Jones and Cormier got into a shoe-flying brawl on stage.
Cormier revealed in an interview with Henry Cejudo on Cejudo’s YouTube channel that he and Jones reached out to each other during their worst moments in their personal lives, despite their animosity towards each other during their fights. “We talked about each other’s families, but in the darkest moments, in the darkest moments; when his mother passed, when my father passed, he sent me a message. He really did, and even in that moment, I appreciated it,” said Cormier. He continued, “Even with all that we had been through, I appreciated that. For all that we had been through, I appreciated him sending me that message as I sent the message for his mother because we understand what family is. He did send me a message when my father passed and when my mother passed. He did. There’s good in that dude. There really is. There’s good in that dude. I just ain’t really had the opportunity to see it… But there is good in that dude, you gotta just got to be able to get to it.”
From Cormier’s perspective, the rivalry with Jones is over. “We had a great rivalry, but that’s to bed now,” said Cormier. “I’m not a fighter. It’s to bed now. Like, I’m not a fighter. I don’t really hold any ill will towards him right now. I just don’t feel the need because what’s the point in it?” Despite their rivalry, Jones and Cormier made a lot of money together and built each other’s popularity. “I would not have much of what I have without him,” Cormier said. “He elevated my star to levels because our rivalry was so bad. It was so intense. It was so desired by people. People were rabid for me and Jones to the point that now, at 44-years old, people go, ‘DC, one more.’ I’m like, I’m 44-years old, but that is something that happens when something that matters lasts. That is what happens when you give people something that they still pine for after all these years. We had something special. We were business partners.”