“I have no idea [when Jones will be back]; all I know is that I’m taking a break. In 2015, I fought Jones, I fought ‘Rumble’ Johnson, and I fought Alexander Gustafsson. I fought the toughest guys the division has to offer – all in 10 months, at 36 years old. I need a little bit of a break. I fought seven times in two years in the UFC. I need some time to sit back and spend with my family. … I want to take a break, and I think I’ve earned it.”
-In a podcast conversation with Kenny Florian and Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier explains why he’s taking some time off before his next fight, regardless of when Jon Jones actually returns (transcribed by BloodyElbow.com).
Penick’s Analysis: Cormier lost to Jones, stepped in to beat Rumble Johnson, and then rushed a fight with Gustafsson when Gustafsson was coming off a KO, and now that Jones is gearing up to return he says he wants the break. Taken in conjunction with him trying to call the shots about New York, and the troll game is strong with this one. Of course he deserves a break if he needs time to heal up before getting back to camp. No fighter should be rushed into a fight, and we’ve seen example time after time of fighters having issues when they turn around too quickly. With that said, the timing is quite amusing with Jones’ return essentially imminent. I still think that fight happens Super Bowl weekend, but if it gets pushed out further it’ll be interesting to see what the UFC decides to do with the division in the meantime.
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