Ali Akbar Rosady
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has expressed a fervent desire to meet long-time adversary Jon Jones on the wrestling mats, specifically within the burgeoning Real American Freestyle league, signaling a potential new chapter in one of mixed martial arts’ most acrimonious rivalries. Cormier, a decorated Olympian in freestyle wrestling, made his intentions clear during a recent discussion with fellow Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Ben Askren, asserting confidence in his ability to decisively defeat Jones in a pure grappling contest.
"I’m telling you, Real American Freestyle is going to see me and Jon Jones at some point, and I’m going to kick his ass like you would never believe," Cormier stated, his voice charged with the familiar intensity that characterized their encounters. He further elaborated on his readiness, citing his continued involvement in the sport: "Because guess what, I still shoot. I still train wrestlers every single day." This declaration immediately ignited speculation among combat sports enthusiasts, who have long been captivated by the enduring animosity and competitive fire between the two legends.
The proposed wrestling match represents a significant pivot from their previous encounters within the Octagon, offering a different stage for their unresolved athletic dispute. The Real American Freestyle league, a relatively new venture aimed at professionalizing and elevating the sport of freestyle wrestling, appears to be the ideal platform for such a high-profile exhibition. Co-founded by prominent wrestling figures like Ben Askren and Bo Nickal, the league seeks to attract top talent and draw a wider audience by presenting wrestling in a compelling, fan-friendly format, often featuring matchups that carry significant narratives. A bout between Cormier and Jones would undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated events in the league’s nascent history, leveraging their well-established notoriety and the deep-seated nature of their rivalry.
The history between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones is a saga etched into the annals of mixed martial arts, marked by fierce competition, verbal barbs, and moments of genuine animosity. Their feud traces its roots back to an informal encounter at UFC 121 in October 2010, long before Cormier had even joined the UFC roster or Jones had ascended to light heavyweight superstardom. During this initial meeting, Jones reportedly made a casual jest about his ability to take down Cormier, a two-time U.S. Olympic wrestling team captain and a 2004 Athens Olympian, finishing fourth. This seemingly innocuous comment, combined with Jones’s perceived dismissiveness, reportedly lit a fire under Cormier, initiating a decade-long period of intense verbal and physical exchanges.
Related News :
- UFC Pound-for-Pound Update: Pereira’s Dominant Return Ignites Championship Landscape
- Los Angeles Angels and Anthony Rendon Negotiating Contract Buyout Amid Retirement Speculation
- MMA Legend Demetrious Johnson Questions UFC’s Featherweight Title Decision, Calls Organization’s Approach ‘Not a Sport’
- Benn Edges Eubank Jr. in Electrifying London Rematch, Evening the Score in Storied Rivalry.
- UFC 321: Aspinall and Gane Set for Heavyweight Title Unification in Abu Dhabi Clash
Cormier’s amateur wrestling pedigree is extensive and highly distinguished. He was a six-time U.S. National Champion in freestyle wrestling, an NCAA Division I All-American for Oklahoma State University, and captained the U.S. Olympic wrestling team in 2008. His transition to MMA saw him capture the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix title before moving to the UFC, where he would eventually become the UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion, making him one of only four fighters in UFC history to hold titles in two different weight classes simultaneously.
Jones, while not possessing Cormier’s Olympic-level freestyle background, was a NJCAA National Champion at Iowa Central Community College and briefly wrestled at Iowa State University. His wrestling prowess in MMA, particularly his defensive wrestling and ability to avoid takedowns, became a cornerstone of his dominant career, which saw him become the youngest champion in UFC history and amass a record 11 light heavyweight title defenses. His move to heavyweight culminated in him capturing the UFC Heavyweight Championship in March 2023, solidifying his status as arguably the greatest fighter of all time.
Their professional paths inevitably converged in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, setting the stage for two of the most significant and intense fights in the promotion’s history. The first encounter, at UFC 182 on January 3, 2015, was preceded by an infamous brawl during a media day event, escalating the personal animosity to unprecedented levels. In the fight itself, Jones defeated Cormier via unanimous decision, handing Cormier his first professional MMA loss. Jones’s strategic use of his significant reach advantage and effective defensive wrestling, coupled with his striking, allowed him to control the pace and secure the victory.
The rematch at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017, carried even higher stakes. Cormier had won the vacant light heavyweight title after Jones was stripped of it due to previous legal troubles. Jones returned from suspension to challenge Cormier, who was by then a reigning champion. Jones delivered a devastating head kick in the third round, followed by ground and pound, to finish Cormier, seemingly reasserting his dominance. However, the victory was later overturned to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for turinabol, a banned substance, casting a long shadow over the outcome and further fueling Cormier’s resentment. The emotional aftermath saw a visibly distraught Cormier grappling with the implications of the loss, particularly its perceived finality.
Despite the controversies and their respective retirements from the light heavyweight division – with Cormier eventually moving to heavyweight and retiring as a champion, and Jones ascending to become the heavyweight king – their rivalry has never truly cooled. The recent announcement that Jones and Cormier are slated to coach opposite each other on an upcoming ALF MMA reality television show later this year underscores the persistent marketability of their feud. This direct engagement on a reality show will provide another platform for their competitive spirits to clash, offering fans a prelude to the potential wrestling match Cormier now seeks.
A wrestling match under pure freestyle rules would present a distinctly different challenge for both athletes. Cormier’s Olympic-level technique, explosive power, and experience in high-stakes amateur wrestling would be his primary assets. His ability to execute fundamental takedowns, transitions, and escapes would be tested against Jones, whose defensive grappling in MMA was exceptional but tailored to a sport that includes strikes and submissions. Without the threat of punches, kicks, or submissions, Jones would be forced to rely solely on his wrestling fundamentals and physical attributes against a specialist in the discipline.
While Jones’s MMA wrestling was effective in avoiding takedowns and controlling opponents, his offensive wrestling statistics in the cage were not as pronounced as Cormier’s. In MMA, Jones averaged 1.95 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 47% accuracy, while Cormier boasted 4.54 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 45% accuracy. However, Jones’s takedown defense stood at an impressive 95%, compared to Cormier’s 78%. These statistics, while from MMA, highlight Jones’s defensive acumen but also Cormier’s aggressive offensive grappling. A freestyle match would strip away the MMA context, emphasizing pure technique, conditioning, and strategic wrestling.
The prospect of Cormier and Jones settling their score in a wrestling match has generated considerable excitement, offering a unique opportunity to see two titans of combat sports engage in a pure athletic contest, free from the nuances and controversies that sometimes accompany MMA. It would be a chance for Cormier to gain a measure of redemption in a discipline where he is truly world-class, and for Jones to prove his grappling prowess against one of the sport’s all-time greats in a stripped-down format. The combat sports world will undoubtedly be watching to see if this proposed showdown materializes.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMAJanuary 7, 2026Aspinall Pivots to Undisputed Title Defense Against Gane at UFC 321, Ending Protracted Jones Chapter
MMAJanuary 7, 2026Morning Report | Brendan Schaub warns Gable Steveson about having Jon Jones as role model
MMAJanuary 7, 2026UFC 322 Set for Blockbuster Welterweight Title Showdown Between Della Maddalena and Makhachev at Madison Square Garden
MMAJanuary 7, 2026Flyweight Contender Joseph Morales Targets Steve Erceg for March Return Following Dominant UFC Debut Year
rifan muazin
Anshari Taslim