Rival Fake? Jon Jones Reveals Telling Conversation With Daniel Cormier: 'I Can't Be Your Friend'

Cormier and Jones have a tense face-off at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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Two of the most successful names of all time, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier also starred in one of the greatest rivalries in MMA history. With clashes in 2015 and 2017, in addition to several episodes full of controversy, the two maintain a certain animosity to this day. However, according to Jones, this feeling may not be entirely genuine. In an interview on the 'ALF Global' organization's podcast this Tuesday (28), the former light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) and heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) champion surprised by mentioning a private conversation with his nemesis.

The two were chosen to be coaches on the reality show promoted by ALF Global itself, whose structure resembles The Ultimate Fighter. Their back-and-forth banter generated several comical moments throughout the program. However, Jones had the opportunity to better understand Cormier's feelings in a conversation away from the cameras. According to him, his former rival only pretends to still harbor anger.

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“Jon, being your enemy has made me a lot of money over the years. Although I have no problem with you, once the cameras are rolling, I could never be your friend,” Cormier reportedly told Jones in this conversation.

🤔👀 Jon Jones says that when he and DC were one-on-one, DC told him he didn't actually hate him and that their rivalry generated a lot of money for him:

“Jon, being your enemy has made me too much money over the years. Even though I have no problem with you, once the cameras… pic.twitter.com/s5PDyjaZdX

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 28, 2026

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Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have faced each other twice.

Cormier (right) and Jones (left): lived one of the greatest rivalries in history (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

The rivalry between Jones and Cormier was one of the main landmarks of MMA in the last decade. The two faced off twice, both times with the light heavyweight title (up to 93 kg) at stake. In the first confrontation, Bones emerged victorious by unanimous decision after getting the better of the striking and taking down his rival twice. The two were supposed to face each other again at UFC 200, but the fight was cancelled after Jon tested positive for doping.

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The rematch finally took place at UFC 214 in July 2017. After two evenly matched rounds, Jones landed a powerful head kick on Cormier, winning by technical knockout and regaining the title. However, he lost the title just days later after failing a doping test again.