Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones Set to Finally Put Rivalry to Bed at UFC 214
The heated long-standing rivalry between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones will be put to bed as the pair collide in their highly anticipated main event showdown at UFC 214. At the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, both men will run it back in an awaited rematch of their initial encounter from back in January 2015.
It was ‘Bones’ Jones that prevailed when the pair first met in that clash in Las Vegas, Nevada, as he emerged victorious with a unanimous decision success following five enthralling rounds at UFC 182. The duo were then scheduled to meet again at the historic UFC 200 back in July last year, but the bout was scrapped at the final hour due to Jones being notified of failing a drugs test by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
As a result of that frustrating news, Cormier instead took on the legendary Anderson ‘Spider’ Silva and overcame the Brazilian icon with a unanimous decision triumph after three rounds in Sin City.
Jones was hit with a one-year suspension in light of the incident – the latest in a long line of controversies – which forced Cormier into a UFC light-heavyweight title defence against Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson. The reigning champion secured a success in that bout, too, by way of submission, after locking in a rear-naked choke hold.
Johnson subsequently announced his retirement from the sport of MMA, as Cormier continued his winning streak to four fights since that first and only career setback to Jones. However, the current title holder has the opportunity to finally gain revenge on Jones as the two men put it all on the line in their next exchange during the UFC 214 main event.
While Jones may be no stranger to controversy, Cormier too hit the headlines in his last Octagon outing for a disputed weigh-in before his clash with ‘Rumble’ Johnson. The 38-year-old was embroiled in controversy after holding on to the towel that was needed in order to make weight.
He will have nothing but revenge on his mind in the coming weeks, though, as the experienced champion looks to hand Jones his first ever career defeat in the early hours of Sunday morning. Ever since that sickening defeat to his bitter rival two years ago, Cormier has been seeking a successful second showing.
He has the chance to achieve that this weekend but will face a tough task in doing so. Jones enters the Octagon as the big 3/10 favourite in the latest MMA and boxing odds to secure yet another victory over Cormier, but the defending title holder is hellbent on redemption.
Will Cormier’s emotions get the better of him or will he succeed in the bout he has craved for so long? We will find out come fight night at UFC 214.
