Jon Jones elaborated during a UFC 232 media conference call Thursday on comments he made on Twitter towards Daniel Cormier the night before. Jones had said he would give Cormier the first shot at the light-heavyweight title should Jones beat Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232. In the process, Jones called Cormier “Daddy’s Baby” and said that Conor McGregor was an “actual double champ.” During the call, Jones said that he isn’t targetting Cormier specifically but that he was just defending himself.
“The sitting down and quiet days are over,” Jones said (transcribed by MMAJunkie). “Daniel Cormier opened his mouth about me. He wants to sell to the people that steroids had something to do with my success. That’s the narrative he wants to get out there, and I want to nip it in the bud. So I challenged Daniel Cormier to be my first title defense, and let’s see what he does.”
Jones went on to note that he doesn’t think Cormier actually wants to fight Jones again.
“I don’t think he’s responded yet, and I think everybody knows he doesn’t want to fight me a third time. I’m not out to get Daniel Cormier. I’m just protecting myself. The guy’s out there making comments about me, and I’m just responding.”
Jones also commented on his choice to decline the California State Athletic Commission’s suggestion that he partake in voluntary VADA testing. Jones noted that all of his energy is going into preparing for the Gustafsson fight.
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“It’s all a pretty new conversation. It’s something I haven’t been putting too much energy into. Every ounce of my mind, body, and spirit has been dominated with this next fight.”
This guy doped up on all his fights and calling out Cormier? Dude, how about you submit to that voluntary drug screening and test clean, then actually dominate Gustafsson in this next fight, which many, including myself, believe you lost the first time. Then you can talk. Until then, it’s just Bones being Bonehead.
I personally hope they don’t fight again. I don’t think it helps either guy’s career at this point no matter what the outcome.