With former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ suspension wrapping up in July, it’s looking like we can expect him to return to the cage sometime this summer. And though there was some talk of his taking a tune-up fight in his first fight back, it now looks as though he’ll jump right back into the fire with an immediate title shot against reigning champ and long-time rival Daniel Cormier.
Jones and Cormier’s rivalry is one of the most visible in MMA, and it dates back to the buildup to their first encounter, which occurred in January of 2015. Jones won this first fight by decision.
Today, their rivalry is as sizzling as ever, as the pair takes full advantage of any opportunity to blast each other in the media or on their social media accounts.
Jones and Cormier’s latest quarrel occurred on Twitter. This exchange began when a fan called Cormier out on the infamous towel-gate incident at the UFC 210 weigh-ins, when he appeared to push down on a towel to shed the last few pounds required to make weight for the fight. This prompted a response from Cormier, which in turn generated a verbal jab from Jones, and the heat continued from there.
No I didn't. Don't always believe what u think u see. Ur eyes lie to you sometimes https://t.co/SEwB8KiSGT
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 30, 2017
Man I can't wait to pop you in the mouth https://t.co/OkDaWvozcx
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 30, 2017
Funny that u would use that word lol "pop" like "pop" positive, "pop" a molly "pop" a cialis. I could go on for days lol https://t.co/T0yfUcIuyA
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) April 30, 2017
Lol finally a decent joke https://t.co/i9AJwNvVsE
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 30, 2017
Lol let's not forget me popping your cherry
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 30, 2017
Jones has stepped into the Octagon just once since he first defeated Cormier back in January of 2015, picking up a decision defeat of last-minute opponent Ovince St. Preux.
Cormier, meanwhile, has fought four times since then, first choking out Anthony “Rumble” Johnson to win the vacant light heavyweight throne, then defending it in a war against Alexander Gustafsson, then defeating Anderson Silva in a non-title fight, and finally defeating Rumble again in a rematch.
Though this Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones rematch is not yet confirmed, it is likely to occur at UFC 214 this July 29.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 5/1/2017.