Cormier: Friendship would be difficult to achieve with Jones because of our history

Get the Full StoryDaniel Cormier responds to Jon Jones intent to put the past behind and actually be friends. After more than two years of throwing insults at each other that at some point had gotten personal, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier seemed to have buried the hatchet at UFC 214. After winning the title back via third-round knockout, Jones even opened the idea of having a more cordial connection with his long-time and now former rival.

I would definitely want to have a respectful relationship with Cormier, Jones told TMZ Sports in an interview. It would be great to eventually be able to support each other s causes and charity events, and maybe do an interview together talking about the biggest rivalries in combat sports history. That s my plan, I don t think he feels the same way.

Jones was actually right in his assessment, as Cormier believes the bad blood in the past would be a deterrent for them to establish a friendship.

I believe he s being genuine, Cormier told Kenny Florian in his return to UFC Tonight this week. I do believe that he is trying to turn over a new leaf. I think he s trying to show that he s a different person than he was in the past. With that being said, friendship would be very difficult for us to achieve because of our history. And I m OK with that, I ve always said that.

We don t have to be friends. I ve always respected him for the competitor that he is. I even congratulated him for getting the job done on July 29th. But, in terms of going forward, we will be professional because we have to until the cage door closes again.

As for his immediate career future, Cormier, now 38 years old, feels he still has a lot of fight left in him and plans to further improve as a competitor of his caliber.

It takes time to get over something that s so big, especially when you unsuccessful in such a big event, Cormier said. But, day by day, you get better. You keep fighting, you keep learning that there are things that are much more important than the competition. And you gotta try to get through it.

If fighting was a nice ex-girlfriend, she would have allowed Jones to walk up, double knee me, and knock me out in ten seconds, but no, Cormier added, with a laugh. She had to give me some success before it happened.

It was just too easy to just say you know what, don t let the guy in the fight at all. I try to make jokes but I need to get better.

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