UFC legend Jon Jones firmly believes he maintains a significant psychological edge over his long-standing adversary, Daniel Cormier.
The intense rivalry between these two mixed martial arts icons has once again ignited publicly. This latest verbal exchange follows provocative comments made by Cormier during a recent UFC 318 weigh-in show. When asked by a fan where he would confront his nemesis if given the opportunity, Cormier’s response unequivocally pointed towards Jones.
“I kind of want the ability to kill him, so I’d like to do it at my house. They can’t really do anything,” Cormier stated.
Jones quickly retaliated on Instagram, posing a rhetorical question directed at Cormier: “Could you imagine getting your ass kicked for the third time in front of the wife and kids?” The celebrated fighters have met twice before inside the octagon. Their initial clash at UFC 182 saw Jones emerge victorious via unanimous decision. The second encounter, at UFC 214, initially resulted in a head-kick knockout for Jones, but this outcome was later overturned to a no-contest after Jones failed a drug test.
Continuing his verbal offensive, Jones took to Twitter on Saturday, declaring: “DC said he wants to kill me at his house. I already buried him twice in the Octagon. Third time I’m bringing a shovel.”
The animosity between Jones, famously known as “Bones,” and Cormier has persisted for years, with both athletes forging careers worthy of the Hall of Fame. Jones reigned as UFC light heavyweight champion from 2011 to 2020, maintaining an extensive undefeated professional record—his sole loss being a disqualification against Matt Hamill in 2009. He further solidified his legacy by claiming the vacant heavyweight title in 2023. Cormier, too, has held both the light heavyweight and heavyweight championships, securing the former in 2015 during a period when Jones was suspended due to his involvement in a hit-and-run incident.
Jones is convinced that Cormier has never managed to escape his formidable shadow.
“A blind man can see the mansion I own in Daniel’s head,” Jones posted, reflecting on Cormier`s persistent animosity. “I just didn’t realize how deep his hate still runs. Those ass whoopings must’ve left more than bruises, I feel like I’m the most painful thing that ever happened to that man’s life. Emotional damage.”
While Jones recently announced a temporary retirement, his plans indicate a brief hiatus. He has expressed his intention to compete at the proposed UFC White House event, an initiative discussed by President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White, tentatively scheduled for the 250th Independence Day celebration in July 2026.
