Jon Jones’ recent retirement has sent shockwaves across the UFC landscape — not just because of who he is, but because of the legacy he's leaving behind. Among the first to publicly address the announcement was none other than his fiercest rival, Daniel Cormier, who offered a raw and layered take on Jones’ decision to step away from the sport.
A rival’s reaction to Jon Jones' retirement
Cormier, who retired five years ago and now serves as a respected analyst, took to his YouTube channel and ESPN MMA to reflect on Jones’ career. While he didn’t shy away from criticism, calling Jones a “quitter” for stepping away rather than fighting interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, his tone was more nuanced than hostile.
“He owed it to the organization and to Aspinall to drop the ladder down on his way out,” Cormier said, suggesting thatJon Jones should have passed the torch instead of exiting amid uncertainty.
Respect amid rivalry
Despite their well-documented feud and personal differences, Daniel Cormier made it clear that Jones’ talent was never in question. In fact, his admiration for Jones’ dominance inside the cage was evident.
“We’re talking about a kid that started this thing at like 19, 20 years old,” Cormier told Brett Okamoto in an interview for ESPN MMA. “He has spanned three different eras of heavyweights and light heavyweights… Nobody gets that amount of time at the top without the crowd catching you.”
Cormier added that Jon Jones’ ability to stay at the top while everyone was training specifically to beat him is what truly set him apart. “He won every time he stepped foot in that Octagon.”
The fight that changed everything
Cormier particularly recalled their rematch at UFC 214, a pivotal moment in both their careers. While Jones’ win was later overturned due to a failed drug test, Daniel Cormier said that the performance was one he could never forget.
“I was never better than that time in Anaheim,” Cormier said. “That was the best I’ve ever been and he beat me… and because of that, I will always respect him for his skills and what he did inside the Octagon.”
A legacy that can’t be ignored
Although Cormier questioned Jon Jones’ decision to retire rather than defend his title, he acknowledged that no one ever replicated what Jones did in the Octagon. Even amidst controversy, the legacy remains monumental.
“In that eight-sided fence, there was no one like him,” Daniel Cormier concluded.