Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones’ biggest rival, expressed sympathy for the former UFC heavyweight champ after he called for his release.
Jon Jones wants out of the UFC following CEO Dana White’s recent remarks at the UFC 326 post-fight press conference. After announcing the full lineup for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June, White dismissed the narrative that Jones was close to fighting on the card, falling Jones’ claims that he was in talks with the promotion ‘b——‘.
This prompted a fiery reaction from Jones on social media, including a lengthy statement that included the former two-division champion calling for his release from the promotion. Jones is regarded by many as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, albeit with a checkered past outside of the Octagon.
Jones could become an unrestricted free agent for one of the few times in his legendary career later this year. But Jones’ two-time rival, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, was befuddled by Jones’ reaction to White’s comments.
Daniel Cormier ‘lost’ over Jon Jones’ angry reaction to UFC White House exclusion
In a recent episode of Funky and the Champ, Cormier shared his thoughts on Jones’ bad blood with White and the UFC brass.
“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?” Cormier said of Jones.
“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,” Cormier continued on Jones. “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!”
As of this writing, it’s uncertain whether or not White and the UFC will grant Jones’ request. He hasn’t fought since defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, retiring last summer following failed negotiations to fight Tom Aspinall.
What do you make of Daniel Cormier’s reaction to Jon Jones’ ongoing feud with the UFC? Let us know in the comments!