For the better part of his career, Jon Jones was a constant nightmare for the light heavyweight division. His first win at 205lbs was enough to make waves in the media, with many predicting him as the ‘next big thing in the UFC.’ Now, 16 years after his grand debut, Jones still carries the same demeanor, but in the heavyweight division, where he is the undisputed kingpin.

Jones is currently scheduled to headline the Madison Square Garden’s annual event for the first time as he defends his crown against former two-time champion Stipe Miocic in the heart of the ‘Big Apple’. With just a few days left before the highly anticipated fight, Jones’ former arch nemesis and analyst Daniel Cormier recently reflected on their encounters in a recent ESPN MMA appearance.

“It was fun, it was big,” DC stated. “I did hit him too. I know it doesn’t look like it on the clip, but I did land some shots. But you know what I learned about Jon Jones in that fight? He’s much tougher than I gave him credit for. He also is very diverse with his attacks; it’s never the same thing. It’s body kicks, it’s knees, it’s elbows. He does a really good job of mixing everything up. And he was much bigger than I expected—not only in reach but his height.”

Cormier further illustrated Jones’ imposing size, saying, “It feels like a blanket draped over the top of you whenever you’re in the clinch because he’s so tall and so big, especially in his upper body.” The feud between Jones and Cormier ranks among the most iconic and vicious in MMA history. The duo first squared off in 2015 at UFC 182, battling for five rounds, with Jones emerging victorious by unanimous decision. They met again two years later in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 214, which ultimately ended in a no-contest. Despite the years since their last showdown, the animosity between them still lingers—something Khabib Nurmagomedov recently addressed.

Khabib Nurmagomedov on Friendship with Jon Jones

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, beyond his remarkable grappling skills and undefeated MMA record, is also known for his reputation as ‘a friend of friends.’ His loyalty runs deep, and those he considers friends—like Belal Muhammad and Daniel Cormier—have his unwavering support.

Recently, Nurmagomedov came across a social media post, which he shared on his Instagram story, where Jon Jones placed ‘The Eagle’ on his “Top 5” list, saying, “I love what Khabib represents.” In the video, Jones also addressed their subtly strained relationship. However, Nurmagomedov remained unmoved by the compliment—for one key reason: Daniel Cormier. Out of loyalty to DC, Nurmagomedov is unwilling to befriend Jones.

As translated by Bloody Elbow, Nurmagomedov wrote in his story, “I have never had any disagreement with Jones. He is a great fighter, and it would be hard to compare with him. But my friend Cormier is in conflict with him, and automatically, he cannot be my friend. I am not friends with those whom my friends are not friends with.”

What do you think is behind Daniel Cormier‘s sudden shift in tone, which he has been reflecting these days? Just yesterday, Cormier defended Jon Jones’ decision to bypass a fight with Tom Aspinall, and now, today, he’s once again praising Jones. Where do you think this is heading? Share your thoughts below.