Former UFC champions Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have renewed their rivalry following comments made during Cormier’s recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast “Club Shay Shay.” During the podcast, Cormier discussed his choices for the UFC’s “Mount Rushmore,” ultimately leaving both Jones and Anderson Silva off his list due to their histories of testing positive for banned substances.
Cormier listed Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, and Khabib Nurmagomedov as three of his top fighters. When it came to the fourth spot, after a suggestion from Sharpe to consider Anderson Silva, Cormier rejected both Silva and Jones, attributing their exclusions to failed drug tests in their careers.
Jones responded on social media platform X with a pointed reaction toward Cormier. He stated, “A lifetime of loss, victories and sacrifice and this guy wants to write it all off as steroids. Honestly, it’s insulting. But I can’t help but laugh, knowing it was God given abilities that made him feel so inferior.”
In another post, Jones highlighted his career accomplishments: “High school state champ, JUCO national champ, youngest UFC champion, greatest in MMA history. A lifetime of loss, victories and sacrifice and this guy wants to write it all off as steroids. Honestly, it’s insulting. But I can’t help but laugh, knowing it was God given abilities…”
Cormier addressed the rivalry further when discussing their second fight at UFC 214 with Sharpe. The bout originally ended with Jones winning by knockout but was later ruled a no-contest due to Jones testing positive for anabolic steroid use.
“I was the best I could ever be, 36, and he was 28, and he was in his prime. That’s the fight that he positive and they made it a no-contest. He was able to keep up with me workwise but he exceeded,” said Cormier.
Despite past criticism over performance-enhancing drugs in combat sports—a stance tied closely to Cormier’s wrestling background—he also acknowledged Jones’ skills: Cormier described him as “the greatest talent the sport has ever seen” and indicated that Jones would be an ideal representative at a potential UFC White House event for American fighters.
The dispute continues a longstanding feud between the two athletes dating back several years and has been marked by public animosity as well as occasional respect expressed between them.
