Daniel Cormier Focused on Anthony Johnson as Jon Jones Rivalry Hovers
Daniel Cormier Focused on Anthony Johnson as Jon Jones Rivalry Hovers
UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier believes he needs to avenge loss to Jon Jones to stamp his legacy.
Daniel Cormier is focused on his upcoming fight against Anthony Johnson at UFC 210 on April 8, but that doesn’t mean another rival doesn’t exist in the back of his mind.
The UFC light heavyweight champion is eager to get back into the Octagon with former titleholder Jon Jones, but that’s a wish that comes with some hesitancy. Cormier and Jones have been slated to fight on numerous occasions with injury and circumstance preventing all but one of those showdowns.
Nevertheless, it was Jones who emerged victorious from their sole meeting, and avenging the lone setback of his professional career is something Cormier is determined to make happen. Whether it’s next or last, Cormier believes defeating Jones will put the stamp he’s looking to put on his legacy as a fighter.
“I said after I lost to him the first time and we were supposed to fight in [2015], I said give me the two toughest guys the division has to offer,” Cormier told MMAFighting. “At that time it was (Alexander) Gustafsson and ‘Rumble.’ I’ll beat them so that I can get back to this guy. I did it in a year, and I was ready to fight in April. Then I got the injury and everything that happened in July didn’t offer us the (chance to) fight, so I fought Anderson (Silva). I’m like, just get me back to where I need to be inside the Octagon against Jones. That’s really what it all leads to.
“And the truth is, now it’s about my legacy too. Title defenses, wins with being the champion, that all matters to me. So, it’s all part of the journey, but at the end of the day, I do want to get back to Jones.”
The UFC light heavyweight champion is eager to get back into the Octagon with former titleholder Jon Jones, but that’s a wish that comes with some hesitancy. Cormier and Jones have been slated to fight on numerous occasions with injury and circumstance preventing all but one of those showdowns.
Nevertheless, it was Jones who emerged victorious from their sole meeting, and avenging the lone setback of his professional career is something Cormier is determined to make happen. Whether it’s next or last, Cormier believes defeating Jones will put the stamp he’s looking to put on his legacy as a fighter.
“I said after I lost to him the first time and we were supposed to fight in [2015], I said give me the two toughest guys the division has to offer,” Cormier told MMAFighting. “At that time it was (Alexander) Gustafsson and ‘Rumble.’ I’ll beat them so that I can get back to this guy. I did it in a year, and I was ready to fight in April. Then I got the injury and everything that happened in July didn’t offer us the (chance to) fight, so I fought Anderson (Silva). I’m like, just get me back to where I need to be inside the Octagon against Jones. That’s really what it all leads to.
“And the truth is, now it’s about my legacy too. Title defenses, wins with being the champion, that all matters to me. So, it’s all part of the journey, but at the end of the day, I do want to get back to Jones.”