Daniel Cormier: I Feel Bad For Jon Jones, I Wish Him The Best

Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones shared one of the most intense rivalries in mixed martial arts history before their fight at UFC 182. Originally meant to be fighting at UFC 178, the two fought live on stage at a sensational press conference in Las Vegas before the bout was moved to the January 3, 2015 date due to injury. The MMA world waited with eager anticipation for their long due battle in the octagon and, although victorious on that night, ‘Bones’ would not emerge unscathed. It was later revealed that an OOC (out of competition) drug screen had found cocaine in Jones’ system.

Then came the New Mexico hit-and-run drama, the subsequent suspension and stripping of the belt from Jones and his eventual return to action at UFC 197. The new Jon Jones was apparently now free of addiction, looking to get back on track and facing Cormier for the rematch was motivating him to stay on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately ‘DC’ was injured, and ‘Bones’ instead faced Ovince St-Preux on April 23. Defeating ‘OSP’ by decision, Jones set up the second fight with Cormier who had won the title in his absence.

Following the removal of Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 2 as the UFC 200 main event, Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones 2 was announced during the promotion’s slot on ‘Good Morning America.’ The historic event was also boosted by the appearance of Brock Lesnar and two other title fights, this was Jones’ chance at redemption in many respects. Events would transpire, all within three days of the event this past Saturday July 9, that laid waste to ‘Bones’ vs. ”DC’ 2, and have also started yet another phase of trouble for the Greg Jackson‘s standout.

USADA (United States Anti Doping Agency) revealed in the days leading up to UFC 200 that Jones failed a drug test on June 16, and was therefore ineligible to compete in the main event. Cormier was shattered by the news, ‘Bones’ was highly emotional when addressing the media the day after Jeff Novitsky made the announcement, and UFC president Dana White was furious. Now the dust has settled on UFC 200, and Cormier defeated late replacement Anderson Silva, the current light-heavyweight kingpin is taking a very spiritual view of his biggest rival.

Speaking during Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, and as transcribed by MMAMania’s Adam Guillen Jr., Daniel Cormier says he feels bad for Jon Jones, and wishes him luck with his latest struggle.

“I’m in the sauna and we’re listening to it and he seemed very sad. I went back to my room before my final wight cut and I actually watched it and I could see that he was heartbroken. So, it was very sad man. I don’t like to see people hurt like that, and I could see that he was hurt. I try to do things for me — things that feel better for me and for my mental and me as a human being and spirit. So I just made sure he knew that his apology was accepted and that I do wish him the best in his journey.”

“I don’t know. When everything comes out we will know better. If it comes out that he was doing performance enhancers, then he was obviously trying to cheat. I mean, I can only be honest. I call it like it is. If it comes out that he was doing performance enhancers; I don’t know if it was because the ‘OSP’ fight didn’t go as he expected, I don’t know. I don’t know what it was that made him do whatever he did if it comes out that he was doing performance enhancers.”