Daniel Cormier admits Jon Jones is the greatest UFC fighter ever

Although it is known that there has been open hostility between them for years, Daniel Cormier did not let his personal emotions cloud the objective truth – Jon Jones, in his words, was the better fighter. And the best ever in the octagon.

Reacting to the news of Jones’ retirement after initially announcing it on his own YouTube channel, Cormier told ESPN MMA that the decision not to fight Tom Aspinall does cast a shadow over his legacy. But he did not stop at criticism – the former two-time UFC champion made his most honest confession yet about the man who defeated him twice in light heavyweight title fights.

– We’re talking about a kid who started this sport at 19, 20 years old. He’s survived three generations of fighters. He fought Vitor Belfort, ‘Shogun’ Rue, Rampage Jackson, then he got to Rashad Evans, me, Alexander Gustafsson, then later Santos, Reyes, Anthony Smith... and all the way to Stipe Miocic. No one stays at the top for that long without the crowd catching up to them sooner or later. Everyone trains to take down the best. But Jon found a way to win every time – said Cormier.

Rematch

He specifically mentioned their rematch in Anaheim, which Jones won by knockout, but was later overturned due to a doping violation.

"I beat Stipe Miocic, was the Strikeforce heavyweight champion, the UFC champion in two divisions. But I was never, ever better than I was that night against Jones in Anaheim. And he beat me anyway. That’s why, regardless of everything outside the octagon, I respect him for what he did in the cage. In those eight corners, there was no one like him."

Jon Jones didn't remain silent about this rare accolade. He posted Cormier's statement on his Instagram, a sign of gratitude and, at least for a moment, a truce between the two greats.

Despite all the controversies – doping scandals, legal troubles, running away from a fight with Aspinall – Jones remains a fighter whose reign will be difficult to surpass. And when even his fiercest rival admits it, everything is clear.