Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier spoke to Ariel Helwani on the popular The MMA Hour about his upcoming bout at UFC 182 in January with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and why he was chosen to replace Alexander Gustafsson. Cormier’s insertion in to a title fight with Jones led to the now infamous brawl that cost Jon his six figure Nike deal. The war of words between Cormier and Jones has been entertainment in and of itself, but the real excitement comes from the inevitable collision of two of the best in the world in any weight class.

On August 9, 2014, a video was leaked where Jon Jones threatened to kill Daniel Cormier. After an ESPN interview was concluded, Jones asked Cormier “Hey pussy, are you still there?” This sparked a heated argument.  Cormier didn’t hold back and said that Jon Jones was “such a pussy,” “the scum of the earth,” “a terrible human being” and he wished they would let him go next door to spit in Jones’ face. Jones replied, “You know I would absolutely kill you if you ever did something like that, right?” He followed up with, “No, I would literally kill you if you spit in my face,” and, “I’m not saying I would fight you. I said I would kill you if you do some silly shit like that.”

Cormier doesn’t feel any sympathy for Alexander Gustafsson and his lost championship opportunity.

“It’s circumstance, man. A lot of things come down to circumstance. This job [with UFC Tonight], circumstance. The fight with Jon, it’s circumstance. You know, like me winning the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix, circumstances. Sometimes things come down to the person that’s willing to step up when an opportunity is presented. I did.”

Cormier reiterated his indifference to taking the Swedish superstar’s top contender spot.

“Did we know, Jon and I, that it would be so electric? No. It’s taken on a life of its own and now it’s like he can’t get back in his place.“

Daniel is also aware that if he beats Jones it’s going to prompt an immediate rematch if it’s not a decisive win. If it is a finish like current UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos 1 where Cain was beaten in the first round decisively – no immediate rematch. A rematch is bad news for the MMA viking as it would push his own rematch back even further and guarantee that he would have to fight again to get his shot.

Cormier concluded with one final statement,

But no, I mean, I’m not going to feel bad for him (Gustafsson) now, and I’m not going to feel bad for him when he’s waiting at the end of 2015 to fight for the title, because I’m going to win and then Jones is going to get a rematch. So, it’s like, Alexander Gustafsson, he was the victim of circumstance. But no, I don’t feel bad for him at all.”

 

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