Cormier was defeated by Jones in January 2015. (Photo: Disclosure/UFC)
Daniel Cormier turned down an offer to coach rivals Jon Jones on the Russian reality show ALF Global, inspired by the format of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). The confirmation came through a video published on his YouTube channel, in which the commentator justified the decision by the impossibility of facing his former opponent in a possible fight and by his reluctance to spend a month in Thailand with his rival.
“I can't spend 1 month in Thailand with Jon Jones, especially now that I can't fight him anymore,” DC said on his YouTube channel.
See too
Without the former champion, the production chose to close with the veteran Nate diaz, who will share coaching duties with Jones during the show's taping. ALF Global, produced in Thailand, would require coaches to spend four weeks training hopefuls in isolated locations — a format that Cormier found incompatible with his current schedule as an ESPN analyst and family man.
The relationship between Cormier and Jones is one of the most tense chapters in MMA. The two have faced each other twice in the octagon: in 2015, with Jones winning by unanimous decision, and in 2017, when the then champion knocked out Cormier, but had the result overturned after testing positive for turinabol, a banned steroid.
With Cormier's withdrawal, ALF Global production hired Nate diaz, a UFC icon known for his combative style and participation in legendary fights, such as his victory over Conor McGregor in 2016. The choice surprised fans, as the 'bad boy' has no history of conflict with Jones, but brings with him a solid fan base and reality TV experience.
You need login To comment.