Former two-division UFC champion Daniel “DC” Cormier knows Jon Jones better than most. He faced, and lost to, Jones twice during his time at light heavyweight. Now, with Jones appearing set to make his long-anticipated UFC heavyweight debut next year, Cormier has weighed in on what he sees as his fellow former light heavyweight champion’s chances at 265 pounds. Cormier explained his position in a recent episode of Chris Weidman’s podcast.
“I think he’ll be fine. The guy’s a good fighter. Very talented. I think he’ll do good at heavyweight. But it’s a matter of him making the leap, right? It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for him to fight in this weight class.
DC: Jon Jones Will Struggle Against “Bigger Guys” At Heavyweight
I think the moment he makes the actual jump into the heavyweight division, it will make the division much funner, it will make the division grow, and it’s already as fun as it’s been in a really long time. But just some of the matchups that he could be involved in with Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane and Curtis Blaydes, it makes for an idea of some big time fights.”
Cormier also believes that the heavyweight division is much deeper, and more skilled, than it has been before. There are some seriously dangerous fighters who have frame more naturally suited to the higher weight class.
“Watching Pavlovich, after watching what he did to Tai Tuivasa and everybody recently, there’s some dangerous fights for him, especially when you look back on his light heavyweight career and see how he struggled at times with bigger guys. I think he’ll be fun to add, but I think there’s some big-time matchups in there for him.”
Although Cormier has no great affection for Jones, he acknowledged the former champ’s undeniable skill. “If he’s beatable, why hasn’t anybody beaten him? He’s long, he’s strong, he’s got good cardio, and he’s got a lot of great qualities in there.
He’s very smart in the octagon. That’s one of the areas I think people don’t give Jones the credit, his mentality and his fight IQ, his ability to process through a fight is better than most, and I think that’s why he’s had the longevity that he had.”
Jon Jones has not made his UFC heavyweight debut yet, but will likely expect a title charge sooner than later. Do you think Daniel Cormier is right about his odds at 265 pounds, or is there something DC missed? Let us know in the comments.
