Imagine stepping into the Octagon with one of your fiercest rivals, knowing you had the skills to win, but letting your guard down at the worst possible moment. That’s exactly what Daniel Cormier admits he did in his rematch against Jon Jones, and it’s a decision that still haunts him today. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it Jones’ brilliance or Cormier’s own misstep that sealed his fate? Let’s dive in.
Few UFC rivalries have burned as intensely as the feud between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. From heated press conference brawls to two high-stakes grudge matches inside the Octagon, their battles have become the stuff of MMA legend. Both encounters ended with Jones’ hand raised, but the story doesn’t end there. After Jones’ knockout victory in their 2017 rematch at UFC 214, the win was overturned to a no contest due to a failed drug test. While this erased the loss from Cormier’s record, he can’t shake the regret of letting it happen in the first place. And this is the part most people miss: Cormier believes he was his own worst enemy.
In a recent interview with his former American Kickboxing Academy teammate Josh Thomson, Cormier reflected on what he’d do differently if given a second chance. ‘I started feeling so good that I lost focus,’ he admitted. ‘I was being arrogant, talking to him—doing all those things when that never was me.’ Cormier’s success in the Octagon had always been rooted in his laser-like focus, a mindset he calls ‘tunnel vision.’ But in that fateful rematch, he strayed from what made him great, and it cost him dearly. ‘If I could relive that, I would have stayed locked in and not taken my eye off the ball,’ he confessed.
Here’s the bold part: Cormier isn’t done with Jones. While their rivalry has cooled to occasional social media jabs, Cormier has expressed interest in facing Jones outside the UFC, under the banner of Real American Freestyle, a grappling organization. ‘I’d wrestle Jon Jones,’ he declared. With stars like Bo Nickal and Belal Muhammad already competing in RAF, and Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington set to debut in 2026, could this be the stage for their next showdown?
Now, let’s shift gears. What’s the best win of Jon Jones’ career? His resume is stacked with victories over MMA legends like Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua (UFC 128), Lyoto Machida (UFC 140), Alexander Gustafsson (UFC 165), and even Cormier himself (UFC 182). More recently, he’s dominated Ciryl Gane (UFC 285) and Stipe Miocic (UFC 309). But which one stands above the rest? Here’s a thought-provoking question: Does Jones’ legacy rest on his in-cage dominance, or is it tarnished by controversies like the UFC 214 drug test? Weigh in below—let’s spark a debate!
Before you go, don’t forget to join our newsletter for the best Bloody Elbow content delivered straight to your inbox. And if you’re craving more MMA throwbacks, check out how Anderson Silva proved his toughness after a devastating leg break. But for now, let’s circle back to the core question: If Cormier and Jones were to face off again, would history repeat itself, or would Cormier’s newfound clarity change the outcome? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
