"I’m ready to take him down!" The long-standing rivalry between UFC competitors Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier is about to reignite, but this time they will face off in a unique setting – as rival coaches on a reality television program.
The enmity between Jones and Cormier is etched in the annals of MMA history as one of the sport's fiercest rivalries. Their conflict is characterized by personal insults, a notorious scuffle during a press conference, and two monumental bouts in the Octagon that fans still talk about today.
In their first encounter at UFC 182 in January 2015, Jones emerged victorious by decision, successfully defending his light-heavyweight title. He later knocked out Cormier in their second match in July 2017, although that victory was ultimately overturned when Jones failed a drug test, leading to much debate and controversy.
Although discussions of a trilogy fight circulated for years, Jones only moved up to the heavyweight category after Cormier had already announced his retirement.
Now, after all these years, the two icons will finally engage with each other once more, albeit in a vastly different format. They will serve as opposing coaches on the new season of ALF, a reality TV series reminiscent of The Ultimate Fighter but with a Russian twist.
Jones previously held a coaching position in an earlier season of this show against former UFC athlete Nate Diaz, although his tenure was cut short following an altercation during filming.
While this series won’t culminate in a fight between Jones and Cormier in the Octagon, Cormier has playfully suggested that they might engage in a wrestling match instead. "I assure you, Real American Freestyle Wrestling is going to witness me and Jon Jones facing off at some point, and I’m going to defeat him, just you wait!" Cormier said in a video shared on his YouTube channel. "I still practice shooting techniques and train wrestlers daily, so I'm confident in my abilities."
Cormier boasts an impressive wrestling background, having represented the United States in the Olympics. He secured fourth place in freestyle wrestling at the Athens 2004 Games and later led the U.S. team as captain at the Beijing 2008 Games.
In the realm of UFC history, Cormier stands out as one of only four fighters – alongside notable names like Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo – to have held two championship titles simultaneously.
Despite not having participated in MMA since his defeat to Stipe Miocic in 2020, Cormier has been spotted training recently, suggesting a desire to return to competitive form.
Though Jones may not have the same accolades in wrestling as Cormier, he, too, has a solid foundation in the sport, having won a national junior college championship.
Regarded by many as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, Jones stepped away from the sport last year but has indicated intentions to make a comeback during a highly anticipated event later this year.
As the reality TV series approaches, Cormier mentioned that the tension between him and Jones has somewhat diminished over time. "Being around Jon is different now, considering our tumultuous past," Cormier shared in an interview with Red Corner MMA. "However, I’ve moved past fighting; that chapter is closed for me, so things are not nearly as hostile anymore. We’ve managed to maintain a professional demeanor, despite our frequent disagreements."
He added, "We've reached a stage in our lives where we can occupy the same space without the need to brawl."
Whether Jones shares this more conciliatory viewpoint remains uncertain; the former champion has taken several jabs at Cormier via social media in recent months.
This renewed interaction between two of MMA’s most iconic figures promises to be an interesting watch, especially with their history. What do you think? Can they put their differences aside for the sake of entertainment, or will old rivalries resurface? Share your thoughts!
