Fans have asked Daniel Cormier to take the night off from commentating on the title bout between Jon Jones and Cyril Gane.
Jon Jones (26-1) will challenge Cyril Gane (11-1) for the vacant UFC Heavyweight title on March 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The heavyweight title was vacated after Francis Ngannou’s contract with the UFC expired. At UFC 285, the match between Jones and Gane will decide who gets to keep the belt.
Jon Jones is regarded as one of the best mixed martial artists of all time. However, he hasn’t competed in the UFC since defeating Dominick Reyes by unanimous decision in February 2020.
Jones was also locked in tense negotiations with the UFC which culminated with a new 8 bout deal worth millions.
His opponent Cyril Gane recently defeated Tai Tuivasa at UFC Paris. Gane has just one loss in on his MMA record, and it came at the hands of former champion Francis Ngannou in January of 2022.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier formerly competed against one another and had a heated rivalry.
Ok, any other fights you want me off? I took last night off at your suggestion. Was the experience much more enjoyable? https://t.co/66g2EEyKYL
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 12, 2023
Daniel Cormier was absent at the commentators’ table for the clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Cormier was heavily criticized over bias he shows towards members of American Kickboxing academy – a club he used to train at.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have faced off twice in the octagon throughout their iconic careers. The first time, Jones won over Cormier at UFC 182 in 2015. The second match was overturned into a no-contest resulted after Jones’ failed a test in 2017.
Jones is unconcerned about Cormier commentating on the upcoming match at UFC 285. Jones outlined in a Sports Illustrated interview:
“I’m not competing against Daniel Cormier. I’ve already beat him twice. I’m really happy for Daniel Cormier. I love what he’s done in his life with his wrestling and broadcasting. I think it’s awesome when a fighter can retire and use his voice and intelligence to do something that he loves, so I’ve got nothing but respect for Daniel Cormier.”