On Saturday night, in the main event of the stacked UFC 232 card, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones made his anticipated return to the Octagon, where he rematched the toughest challenger of his career in Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson. Though Gustafsson put up a valiant effort, Jon Jones once again came out on top, this time with a meteor shower of strikes in the third round (see the finish here).
After this impressive stoppage victory, in his post fight interview with long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Jones addressed the much discussed possibility of a third fight with his arch nemesis, former two division champion Daniel Cormier.
As he has done several times over the last few weeks, Jones offered Cormier the first shot at the UFC light heavyweight title. He also criticized Cormier for willingly vacating that same title in the lead-up to the UFC 232 card.
“I know there’s a guy who’s been calling himself champ champ,” he told Joe Rogan. “I mean what guy gives up his belt because somebody comes home.”
"Daddy's home, DC."@JonnyBones has words for his biggest rival. #UFC232 pic.twitter.com/rhS0GyY2qX
— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2018
It did not take long for Daniel Cormier to react to this impressive performance from Jon Jones. While he did not address Jones’ callout outright, he did take a shot at the new champion for his continued struggles with anti-doping controversies.
I mean shit , he should win! Dude starts with a head start everytime #usadafake #jonnybrasco
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 30, 2018
“I mean shit , he should win! Dude starts with a head start everytime #usadafake #jonnybrasco” – Daniel Cormier on Twitter.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have fought twice previously. The first time, Jones won by unanimous decision. The second time, Jones knocked Cormier out, though this result was promptly overturned when he tested positive for the banned substance turinabol, which was once again found in his system in small amounts ahead of UFC 232.
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/30/2018.