Since the UFC began in November 1993, few fighters have reached widespread recognition. Among them is Jon Jones, a former double champion. However, Daniel Cormier, another double champion and past rival, has questioned Jones’s place among the greatest fighters due to his history with steroids.
Cormier recently appeared on ‘Club Shay Shay,’ a podcast hosted by former National Football League tight end Shannon Sharpe. During the episode, Cormier named Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, and Khabib Nurmagomedov as part of his UFC Mount Rushmore. He hesitated over his fourth choice after Sharpe suggested Anderson Silva. Cormier argued that both Silva and Jones should be excluded because of their histories with banned substances.
In response, Jon Jones posted on social media: “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.” He went on to highlight his achievements in wrestling and mixed martial arts: “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…”
Jones further emphasized that he credits his success to talent rather than prohibited substances.
Cormier selected Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture for his final Mount Rushmore picks. The rivalry between Jones and Cormier intensified after their second fight at UFC 214 was ruled a no-contest due to Jones testing positive for anabolic steroid use.
While speaking with Sharpe about the fight at UFC 214, Cormier said: “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.”
Cormier also called Jones “the greatest talent the sport has ever seen” while expressing that the use of steroids provided advantages such as increased endurance, strength, speed, and recovery abilities.
Despite mutual criticism over their careers’ respective controversies—Cormier known for discipline and Jones facing suspensions—the rivalry remains significant in UFC history.
Cormier continues to speak out against performance-enhancing drugs in combat sports as an element distinguishing his own career.
###
