The former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier recently talked about his old rival Jon Jones. During the recent ‘DC & RC’ podcast Cormier, who was a champion in the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight division, expressed his belief that Jon Jones would fail to become UFC Heavyweight champion of the world.
On that podcast episode with Ryan Clark, Cormier was talking about his prediction on big MMA fights for 2022 and mentioned Jon Jones. The 42-year-old veteran said that Jon Jones wouldn’t be able to top the current top two in the heavyweight division: Francis Ngannou and Cyril Gane.
“I believe that Jon Jones will fight at heavyweight, and he’ll fight for the belt, but he’ll lose to Ciryl Gane or Francis Ngannou, and I just think that the time away, with the weight difference and those guys being who they are, that’s the problem,” Cormier said.
He also stated that Ngannou and Gane are on a different level compared to how they fought in the past. Cormier is sure that the two have surpassed Jon Jones in the talent department.
Cormier added, “It’s not that Jones has gotten worse. It’s just that these guys are a different level of heavyweight.”
Unlike other divisions – the heavyweight division spans from 205lbs to 265lbs. And Jones fought for years in a lighter division.
Regardless of Cormier’s prediction – Jon Jones at heavyweight is a something that intrigues every UFC fan – regardless of who he’s facing. People were captivated by the prospect of Jon Jones fighting Ngannou last year – but the fight was canceled due to Jones’ contract negotiations. Jones was eager to fight Ngannou as long as there was a lucrative payday in it for him.
As for the two heavyweight champions – Francis Ngannou and Cyril Gane will face off in the title unification bout that’s headlining UFC 270 on January 23rd.