Cormier wants Jones rematch

UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is eager for a rematch with the man who handed him his only defeat, former champion Jon Jones.

The UFC has not yet said when Jones will return to the Octagon, only that it is being discussed. He explains that the conversations with his client are nowhere near the same as six months ago, or even three months ago – as far as Kawa is concerned, Jon Jones is a changed man.

Whether or not the sport will be legalized in New York is still up in the air, but Jones is a true New Yorker and that would undoubtedly be a monumental ground for his comeback fight. But after Jones was suspended and stripped of the light heavyweight belt following a hit-and-run incident in New Mexico in April, Cormier beat Anthony Johnson via submission at UFC 187 to claim the vacant title. “Why should I allow this guy to go and fight where he’s comfortable?” Cormier said at the post-fight press conference for UFC 192.

For his part, UFC president, Dana White, stated that Jones would definitely have a direct title shot following his return – a scenario that Cormier highly expected. If the UFC wants to get Jones on that card and Cormier won’t relent, he could get a warm-up bout at UFC before facing Cormier for a title match.

“I don’t think DC has any choice in the matter, to be honest with you”.

Cormier is now taking a self-imposed break, but has said he wants and needs to fight Jones to complete his career.

Whatever happens, it is likely to be an electric occasion, and Jones is clearly making sure he is in the best shape possible when he finally returns to the cage.

“At a few point, they were going to reinstate him”, Kawa said. “So if Jon wants to fight him in February, March, April, May, June, July, whatever, I think DC should just step up and take the fight”. I’ve watched him through many different camps and the coaches have told me how he’s done certain things in different camps…this is the first time that he doesn’t have a fight scheduled, he’s in Albuquerque, and he’s actually training. “But I didn’t know if it was right when the suspension got lifted, if it would be a year from now, if it would be UFC 200, if Madison Square Garden would be enough”. I want to, but I can’t. He really was frustrated, you know what I mean? “He just needed the time away, and now that he’s had that been able to reflect and see what’s important to him”.