It’s Not Nearly as Nasty”- Daniel Cormier Reveals Improved Relationship With Jon Jones After New Collaboration
Throughout UFC history, few rivalries match the intensity between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones, defined by dominance and unfinished personal business. The pair fought twice for the UFC light heavyweight championship, with Jones winning both bouts, although their rivalry remained bitterly unresolved.
Their second encounter was later ruled a no-contest after Jones tested positive for the banned substance turinabol. Years later, fate has reunited them as opposing coaches on season three of ALF Reality. The announcement arrived on January 5, 2026, reigniting tensions through heated faceoffs and sharp comments recalling their volatile history.
Filmed in Thailand, the show mirrors The Ultimate Fighter, featuring chaotic training, international prospects, and renewed animosity. Ahead of the show, Daniel Cormier recently opened up about his new relationship with Jon Jones and how things have changed.
“Being around Jon Jones is different because we had such a bad history, but the reality is I’m done fighting now and that part of it’s gone. So it’s not nearly as nasty, but I think we have done a good job of being professional as much as we can. Obviously, we argue a lot, but that’s just the status of our relationship. But I think that we’ve gotten to a point in our lives where we can be in the same area without trying to fight each other,” said Daniel Cormier via Red Corner MMA.
The rivalry between Cormier and Jon Jones was fueled by relentless trash talk and deeply personal animosity. DC had openly questioned Jones’s integrity and character, while Jones mocked Cormier’s physique and achievements inside the octagon.
Even years later, lingering resentment remains evident, proving their conflict was as personal as it was historic. The MMA fan base has mostly been divided, as many praise DC as a person, and others choose Jones for his dominance inside the Octagon.
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Can Daniel Cormier beat Jon Jones in wrestling?
When it comes to MMA, Jon Jones is widely considered the most lethal fighter ever, proving dominance through unmatched skill, creativity, and championship longevity. Throughout his career, Jones defeated elite legends like Alexander Gustafsson, Vitor Belfort, Lyoto Machida, etc cementing his reputation as a generational talent.
However, Daniel Cormier claimed that in a pure wrestling match, he would “kick Jones’ a**” due to his Olympic pedigree. Supporting Cormier’s confidence, Islam Makhachev echoed similar sentiments, backing his longtime friend and praising his elite grappling credentials. “Only in wrestling could Cormier handle Jones because Jones is good at wrestling, but wrestling is Cormier’s element. He’s an Olympic-level guy. That’s very high level,” Islam Makhachev via MMA Arena.
Nevertheless, Jon Jones seems excited for the upcoming collaboration with Daniel Cormier at the ALF Reality. According to him, this could allow them to start over, probably the beginning of a new friendship. It would be interesting to see how this works out and whether fans would like to see both the veterans going at each other as coaches.
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