Since Jon Jones reported that he’s going to vacate the light-heavyweight title, as he continues to feud with Dana White, some have questioned whether “Bones” will actually walk away from the UFC. But, according to his rival Daniel Cormier, there are reasons to think he just might.

Cormier believes Jones is “more serious”

Since Jones called for a super fight with Francis Ngannou, and talks for the bout went nowhere with the UFC, the star has been feuding with the promotion’s president Dana White. Jones has claimed the UFC was unwilling to pay him anymore for a bout with Ngannou, but White says “Bones” was asking for way too much money.

More recently, Jones announced he was vacating the light-heavyweight title, and told the UFC he might return next year for a bout with Israel Adesanya. Provided they’re willing to “pay more then”.

While speaking to ESPN since then, Cormier had this to say about the situation (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I believe that he is more serious about walking away because in all those times that he was suspended and hurt and all that other stuff, gone, he kind of learned how to live without that belt,” Cormier said

“For a long time he held the belt, but when he beat me the first time, for so long that when he lost that belt, he probably thought his world was ending.

“But then he was gone for two years, and life probably didn’t seem all that different. So he’s probably looking at life right now and understanding that, ‘If I walk away from this belt, is my life really going to change all that much?’

And I think that gives him comfort in being able to say things that he’s saying. So, to a degree, I do believe he’s serious.”

Cormier makes a lot of interesting points here. Considering the money Jones has made, chances are he doesn’t need to fight. So, it’s certainly possible that we won’t see “Bones” back in the Octagon for a while.

Cormier believes “egos” are playing a role

And while talking about the tensions between Jones and White, which have quickly escalated in the last week or so, “DC” said this.

“You’ve got egos, right? Both of these guys have big egos,” Cormier said. “Not many people stand up to Dana White in this way, and Jon Jones feels as though he’s so valuable, that

Dana White shouldn’t stand up to him in that way. It’s more public than normal, but if you think negotiations in football, baseball, basketball don’t resemble this, ‘Well, I’m walking away,’ and then they come back to the table, you’re insane.

It happens at every level in every single sport, just not as publicly. It’s hidden behind a whole bunch of beautiful words.”

Will we see Jones fight again in 2020? At a time when the UFC is generating no revenue from the gate, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now, it seems unlikely.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: