Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier found himself on the brink of a Tyson-like showdown with Jon Jones during a widely remembered scuffle.
The feud between Cormier and Jones remains etched in the annals of MMA history. Their encounter within the octagon occurred twice, with both instances resulting in Jon Jones securing victories over Daniel Cormier. However, the outcome of Jones’ UFC 214 triumph in July 2017 was turned into a no-contest due to a failed drug test.
The heated rivalry extended beyond their clashes in the cage. Notably, their altercation during the UFC 178 press conference escalated into a colossal brawl. Trading punches, the two combatants went offstage. Cormier got stuck under the bottom at one point during the scrum.
In a recent conversation with Joe Rogan on his podcast, Daniel Cormier disclosed an alarming detail from the altercation. He revealed contemplating a move similar to Mike Tyson’s infamous ear-biting incident during his 1997 rematch with Evander Holyfield. Cormier confessed to almost resorting to a similar act during his scuffle with Jon Jones.
Recalling the tense moment, Cormier said: “When I was in that press fight with Jon Jones, I was still undefeated at the time, and we were at the MGM Grand, and he head-butted me, like put his head on me. So, I push him. He’s an alpha male too. So, the f***** attacks me.”
“So we get to fighting, and we’re fighting, and Joe, the security guard from the UFC, falls under me. But now I’m on my back as we go flying off the stage. I will say, there was a thought to bite the motherf*****, because, what am I doing on my back, right?”
Reflecting on his position during the altercation, Cormier continued: “I fell asleep on my back one day and woke up in a full panic attack… I’m losing. I’m going to bite the son of a b****. I don’t have any mouthpiece in my mouth.”
“And if I would have bit him, that would have been a reaction for a guy that usually will walk around in most places in this world as the alpha. Then, when he finds himself on the bottom, as an alpha, he’s got to find a way to survive.”
Closing his narrative, Cormier addressed the potential aftermath. He stated: “If I would have bit [Jones], you’d have been like, ‘DC bit him,’ but it’s not the first time we saw somebody bite a motherf***** down there, because Mike Tyson did it three times. It’s so unfamiliar.”