Longtime UFC rivals Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier are set to cross paths again, rekindling their bitter feud — but this time as opposing coaches on a reality TV show.
The Jones–Cormier rivalry is still remembered as one of the most heated in MMA history, marked by personal jabs, an infamous press conference scuffle and two unforgettable fights inside the Octagon.
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Jones beat Cormier via decision to keep the light-heavyweight strap in 2015, then appeared to settle things with a knockout win in 2017. That result was later overturned after ‘Bones’ failed a drug test.
A trilogy fight was often discussed, but Jones didn’t follow Cormier to the heavyweight division until after DC had retired.
Now, though, the pair will finally go head to head for a third time, just in a very different setting.
The UFC legends will go against each other as opposing coaches on the upcoming season of the ALF reality TV show – which is like a Russian version of The Ultimate Fighter.
Jones had already taken on a coaching role in an earlier season of the show opposite former UFC star Nate Diaz, but his stint ended abruptly after a brawl erupted on set during production.
The series will not end with Jones and Cormier fighting each other in the Octagon, but DC has floated the idea of the pair throwing down in a wrestling match.
“I’m telling you, Real American Freestyle Wrestling is gonna see me and Jon Jones at some point, and I’m gonna kick his ass, like you would never believe,” Cormier said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Because guess what? I still shoot, I still train wrestlers every single day, so I don’t have a problem shooting.”
Cormier has a stellar wrestling background, having represented the United States at the Olympic Games. He finished fourth in freestyle wrestling at Athens 2004 and later captained the team at Beijing 2008.
DC is also part of a small group in UFC history, one of just four fighters – along with Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo – to hold two UFC titles at the same time.
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Cormier hasn’t fought in MMA since his loss to Stipe Miocic in 2020, but he’s been spotted back in the gym recently and appears intent on getting himself back into shape.
While not as decorated as Cormier on the mat, Jones also has a strong wrestling base, having won a national junior college championship.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, Jones retired from the sport last year but has since suggested he plans to return on the White House card later this year.
Ahead of the new reality TV series, Cormier said the feud with Jones has eased somewhat.
“Being around Jon Jones is different because we had such a bad history,” Cormier told Red Corner MMA.
“But, the reality is, I’m done fighting now. That part of it is gone, so it’s not nearly as nasty.
“We’ve done a good job of being professional as much as we can. Obviously, we argue a lot but that’s the status of our relationship.
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“We’ve gotten to a point in our lives where we can be in the same area without trying to fight each other.”
Whether Jones feels the same way remains to be seen, with the former champion having taken several shots at Cormier on social media over the past six months.