Daniel Cormier on Jon Jones: ‘We’re going to fight again’

Arguably the biggest rivalry currently taking place in MMA exists between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. Cormier and Jones have gone back and forth with each other at press conferences, through social media, and in interviews over recent years.

While they both talk the talk, only Jones has been able to walk the walk thus far. Jones won the pair’s first encounter by decision, while the second bout — originally a KO win for Jones — was ruled a no contest when he failed a drug test.

Today, Daniel Cormier is the current light heavyweight champion and heavyweight champion, while Jon Jones was officially suspended 15 months retroactive to his last fight, meaning he can fight again at the end of October.

With Jones back, it made all the sense in the world to book Cormier vs. Jones 3, but this time at heavyweight, Cormier’s natural division. Unfortunately, the UFC has not yet been able to book this fight.

On Monday, however, speaking on ‘Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show,’ Cormier claimed that he and Jones will fight again, one way or another.

“We’re going to fight again,” Daniel Cormier said bluntly about Jon Jones.

A third fight is something the fans want to see. However, before Cormier fights Jones he plans on taking on former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar in early 2019.

“That’s the fight that’s going to happen. I’m excited about it,” the double-champ added. “I’m going to beat the shit out of Brock Lesnar. Just know, I am going to crush Brock.”

Cormier has said in the past he is retiring before he turns 40, which happens in March. Meaning, if he does indeed plan on fighting Jones and Lesnar, it will have to happen fast. Or possibly, Cormier can extend that a few months into the summer of 2019.

All Cormier knows for sure is that he will be fighting Lesnar, hopefully in January, in his first heavyweight title defense. As for his light heavyweight belt, Cormier doesn’t expect to hold onto that much longer.

“I don’t know exactly but I imagine they’re going to take that [light heavyweight] belt because I’m scheduled to fight Brock,” Cormier said.

Would you want to see Daniel Cormier fight Jones for the third time, or retire following his fight with Lesnar?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 10/1/2018