The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has enjoyed a successful run spanning more than three decades, consistently delivering captivating stories and unforgettable rivalries. Among the most memorable of these is the intense animosity between two former two-division champions, Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. With disrespect, hatred, and personal grudges fueling their bitter rivalry; the two fighters met twice in the Octagon—once in 2015 and again in 2017. On both occasions, Jones’ superior skills overshadowed Cormier’s Olympic-level wrestling.

Despite the animosity and their past clashes, both men have since moved on from their rivalry. Daniel Cormier transitioned to a role as a commentator and analyst, while Jon Jones continues to compete at the twilight of his career. However, beneath the surface of the animosity, there’s an intriguing story behind DC’s reluctance to face Bones for a title fight again.

On his Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast, Daniel Cormier shared a previously untold story with co-host Chael Sonnen. Cormier revealed that after successfully defending his title against Anthony Johnson at UFC 210, he was hoping for a less challenging opponent—Jimmy Manuwa—instead of a rematch with Jon Jones.

Reflecting on his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, the Louisiana native recalled, “They asked me, they asked me on the microphone, ‘So what’s next?’ The moment Joe Rogan goes, I yell at Jimmi Manuwa. I yell at Jimmi Manuwa. Jimmi Manuwa had won three fights in a row, and people were excited about him. I knew I was going to smash Jimmy Manuwa, but inside the Corral, off to the left, was Jon Jones.

‘DC’ continued: ” He was behind the fighter deal. I tried to call him out because I knew Jon Jones was going to be much tougher than Jimmy Manuwa…I knew it was going to be a harder night at the office. Go fight Jones or try to fight Jimmy Manuwa. To me, it made sense as a businessman, so I tried to call him out.”

Despite Daniel Cormier’s desire for an easier fight, Dana White and the matchmakers remained unmoved by his request, ultimately placing Jon Jones in front of him once again. As a result, the Albuquerque native delivered a stunning head kick, dethroning ‘DC’ and preventing him from defending his light heavyweight title. Just a few months later, a twist of fate occurred. In September 2017, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) overturned Jon Jones‘ victory, reinstating the title to the Louisiana native after ‘Bones’ tested positive for Turinabol, a banned substance, in the drug test conducted before their UFC 214 fight.

What’s the reason behind Daniel Cormier’s two losses against Jon Jones?

Before Daniel Cormier entered the UFC’s Octagon, he had already established a standout career in wrestling. His journey began in collegiate wrestling and expanded into competing on the national and international stage, where he earned medals in events like the World Cup and Pan American Games, ultimately reaching an Olympic level of competition. However, due to health issues caused by excessive weight cutting, he fell short of securing an Olympic medal. Despite this setback, the door to MMA opened for ‘DC’, and his path eventually led him to the UFC.

The Louisiana native quickly made his mark with a dominant wrestling style that disrupted opponents throughout his Strikeforce career from 2009 until the organization merged with the UFC in 2011. By 2015, he faced the toughest challenge of his career: Jon Jones, a force who handed Cormier his first professional MMA loss. Afterward, Cormier rebounded with an impressive four-fight win streak, only to face ‘Bones’ once again and fall short.

In a recent viral social media clip from a candid interview, Daniel Cormier opened up about why he struggled against Jon Jones. Reflecting on his wrestling background, he shared, “I would have beaten Jon Jones 100% because I came over as the Olympian—the guy that could out-wrestle anybody…. At the end of the day, in MMA, wrestling is not just about shooting double legs, single legs, high crotches, and snap-downs. It’s also about clinch wrestling, clinch positioning, learning to wrestle along the Octagon side, and defending takedowns against the cage. I don’t know if those guys could score a takedown on me if we put on wrestling shoes and stood in the middle of the mat in a wrestling stance. But inside an Octagon, it’s different.”

What’s your perspective on a potential trilogy between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones? If they were to face off again, do you think the Louisiana native could finally avenge his previous losses to Jones? Share your thoughts below.