The year 2024 marked the 16th year Jon Jones started collecting ‘scalps’ for his cabinet of immortality. Widely regarded as one of the most dominant fighters the sport has ever seen, ‘Bones’ has remained unbeaten in terms of legitimate losses. Now at 37 years old, Jones is a seasoned veteran of the sport, having conquered the two heaviest divisions of the promotion with only a few chapters left in his remarkable journey.

While Jones’ achievements are undeniable, controversies from his past have often overshadowed his legacy. Critics have been quick to focus on his off-cage issues, sometimes neglecting the sheer magnitude of his accomplishments inside the Octagon. However, as the adage goes, “time is a great teacher,” and the consensus MMA GOAT himself has expressed that he has grown from his experiences. Recognition for his unparalleled career is slowly gaining traction, with an unexpected nod coming from his former arch-nemesis, Daniel Cormier.

In an interview with MMA journalist Mike Bohn, Cormier discussed 2024’s most significant people in the realm of MMA. ‘DC’ offered a rare acknowledgment of Jones’ remarkable influence on the sport and stated, “He (Jones) made an impact because he beat the greatest heavyweight of all time [Stipe] and made it look easy. Furthermore, he made an impact by saying he wasn’t going to fight Tom Aspinall, dragging him along, and constantly controlling the narrative—and everybody followed that narrative. So yeah, I’ve got Jon Jones at number three for that. It’s almost impossible to ignore his 13 years in the game.”

Jones’ legacy began with a bang at UFC 87, where he defeated Andre Gusmao in his debut. Moreover, his ascent to greatness took a monumental leap at just 23 years and 8 months old, when he dismantled Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua with a devastating knee strike to become the youngest champion in UFC history. Notably, Jones’ first reign as the light heavyweight champion lasted an incredible 1,201 days, a record that still stands in the division.

Cormier’s recognition of Jones is particularly striking given their decade-long rivalry, marked by heated confrontations and intense animosity. Although the former dual champ has expressed a willingness to put their past behind them, their feud has occasionally resurfaced. Recently, however, Jones hinted at the possibility of ending their longstanding dispute for good. Let’s take a look at the reigning champion’s take on this.

Jon Jones opens up about ending beef with Daniel Cormier

Jon Jones’ UFC career has been marked by numerous rivalries, but none have been as intense or as high-profile as his feud with Daniel Cormier. Their first encounter took place at UFC 182, where ‘Bones’ secured a unanimous decision victory over ‘DC’. The two met again at UFC 214, with Jones winning once more, this time via a vicious knockout. However, officials overturned the victory after the reigning champion tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

The feud became one of the most talked-about in UFC history, with Cormier spending more time in the Octagon with Jones than any other opponent, totaling 38 minutes and 1 second across both bouts. As Jones has matured, he recently shared his desire to end the bad blood and start fresh with his most competitive rival.

Speaking at the UFC 309 presser, ‘Bones’ said, “Yeah, I would love to bury that hatchet with DC. You know, literally every time I see him, I try to give him a smile, I try to give him a handshake and I don’t think— I just recently found out he doesn’t like that very much. So, I think I’ll just give him a little friendly wave from a distance from now on.”

What do you think about Jon Jones’ legacy? Does he deserve respect for his accomplishments in the sport, or should he continue to be criticized for the Tom Aspinall fight allegations? Also, what’s your take on Daniel Cormier’s change of heart towards ‘Bones’? Share your thoughts below.