Former UFC two-division champion Daniel Cormier claims Jon Jones turned down a lucrative seven-figure offer to face him in a wrestling match, saying his longtime rival has no interest in competing under rules that could expose him to defeat.
Cormier and Jones share one of the most bitter rivalries in UFC history, having met twice inside the Octagon. Jones defeated Cormier by unanimous decision to retain the light heavyweight title at UFC 182 in January 2015 before stopping him with a head kick and punches at UFC 214 two years later. That second result was later overturned to a no contest after Jones failed a drug test.
Although both men have since retired from mixed martial arts, they recently reunited as opposing coaches on the Russian reality show ALF Global. Speaking during a fan Q&A this week, Cormier revealed that another chapter in their rivalry nearly came together outside the UFC.
“I swear to God, it wouldn't be RAF (Real American Freestyle) because they can't afford to pay it. But there's an organization that offers both seven figures for a six-minute match. He will not do it. I'm telling you guys, he will not do it. I'm telling you, I'm not lying. I went through the negotiations.”
Cormier said he was eager to accept the matchup under traditional wrestling rules and was confident he would dominate the former UFC champion.
“And I said, 'If he wrestles me. I'll do it,’ I said, 'but it's going to be 10-0, I'm going to attack him.’ I said. But unfortunately, he knows it's going to be 10-0, so he won't do it.”
According to Cormier, Jones instead pushed for a submission-only grappling contest, a format Cormier declined because he preferred a ruleset with a clear winner determined by points if necessary.
“So I said, 'how about we do a grappling match?' He said, 'no, only submissions.' I said, 'well, why don't we do points, right? Where we win…I don't want to be tied at the end.’ No points, only submissions.”
Cormier believes Jones' reluctance stems from a desire to avoid competing in any format where he believes he is at a disadvantage.
“So he won't do it. He won't compete with me in anything that he thinks there's a chance he will lose in. So, give up on the Jon Jones thing. He's not going to do it.”
Jones has not publicly responded to Cormier's claims. Whether the proposed match will ever materialize remains uncertain, but according to Cormier, fans hoping to see the longtime rivals settle their differences on the mat should not expect it to happen anytime soon.
