After keeping his mouth shut through throughout his recent United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) suspension, former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones says he will no longer be allowing negative comments to go unchallenged \u2014 particularly from his arch rival Daniel Cormier.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only reason I brought up the name of Daniel Cormier is that he brought up my name,\u201d Jones said on the UFC 232 pre-fight conference call (transcript via MMA Fighting<\/a>). \u201cAnd I just figured, when I was in trouble, I just stepped back, all summer long, and let everybody talk as much sh*t as they want, and just talk blindly, knowing no facts. I watched everybody that I beat in the past say \u2018ohh, he was on steroids when he fought me the first time, that\u2019s why he beat me.\u2019 I just sat back and let everybody have at it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI stayed quiet for almost a whole year,\u201d Jones added. \u201cAnd now I\u2019m back, and I\u2019m ready to reclaim my throne, and the sitting down and being quiet days are over. Daniel Cormier opened his mouth about me. He wants to sell to the people that steroids had something to do with my success. He would love it if, that\u2019s the dialogue he wants to get out there, that\u2019s the narrative he wants to get out there, and I want to nip it in the bud.\u201d<\/p>\n Jon Jones will battle Alexander Gustafsson for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 232. Speaking on Twitter earlier this week, he offered Cormier the opportunity to be his first title challenger<\/a> if he beats Gustafsson. That said, he doesn’t expect his rival to accept.<\/p>\n \u201cI challenged Cormier to be my first title defense, and let\u2019s see what he does. I don\u2019t think he responded yet, and I think everybody knows he doesn\u2019t want to fight me a third time,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n Fight me one more time and prove you\u2019re actually the champ champ. I\u2019ll donate $100,000 to a charity in San Diego if you accept. Conor McGregor was an actual double Champ, the whole world knows your claim is a freaking joke. You\u2019re more than welcome to be my first title defense<\/p>\n — BONY (@JonnyBones) December 20, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n