The long-standing rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier reignited recently after Cormier excluded Jones from his list of the greatest MMA fighters. Speaking on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast, the former <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC two-division champion explained his reasons for leaving Jones off his MMA Mount Rushmore, prompting a strong response from Jones. This exchange sheds new light on the ongoing tension between the two fighters, emphasizing the lasting impact of Jones MMA Mount Rushmore exclusion.
Jon Jones has a record of 28 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no-contest and is widely considered one of the best mixed martial artists ever. However, his career has had controversies, including a disqualification against Matt Hammill due to repeated illegal elbows and a no-contest ruling on one of his wins over Cormier following a failed drug test. These incidents influenced Cormier’s judgment in ranking the sport’s elite fighters, as he publicly cited Jones’ doping history in his assessment.
Daniel Cormier’s Rationale for Fighter Rankings and Jones’ Response
During the podcast, Cormier named Demetrious Johnson, Georges St-Pierre, and Khabib Nurmagomedov as part of his MMA Mount Rushmore, noting Khabib’s undefeated record as a key factor. He admitted that the fourth spot was difficult, admitting he would not include himself but placed himself in the 4-7 range among top fighters. Anderson Silva, despite his accomplishments, was excluded due to steroid use. Cormier made it clear that he also refuses to include Jon Jones in that elite group for similar reasons related to performance-enhancing drugs.
“Demetrious Johnson. Georges St-Pierre. Khabib. Khabib was undefeated,”
Daniel Cormier said.
“Anderson [Silva] had the steroids, so I can’t put Anderson. I would like to put Anderson. If I’m saying all those guys are included, then obviously Jon [Jones] and Anderson are on that Mount Rushmore. I refuse to do that. Not in fighting.”
—Daniel Cormier, UFC Analyst and Former Champion
Following the viral spread of Cormier’s comments, Jon Jones reacted strongly on social media, calling the exclusion insulting and unfair. Jones argued that his achievements stemmed from natural talent and relentless effort rather than steroids. He highlighted his early wrestling success, UFC records, and the sacrifices he made over his career as proof of his legitimacy. Jones insisted Cormier’s accusations were unfounded and motivated by feelings of inferiority.
“To have a man out there lobbying on one of the biggest podcasts, trying to convince the world that my work ethic was powered by steroids… you clearly didn’t even watch the interview,”
Jon Jones said.
“High school state champ, JUCO national champ, youngest UFC champion, greatest in MMA history. A lifetime of loss, victories and sacrifice and this guy wants to write it all off as steroids. Honestly, it’s insulting. But I can’t help but laugh, knowing it was God given abilities that made him feel so inferior.”
—Jon Jones, UFC Fighter
The Future of Jon Jones’ Fighting Career
Despite announcing a brief retirement earlier this year, Jon Jones is eager to return to the octagon and specifically hopes to headline a UFC event scheduled at the White House in July 2026. However, UFC President Dana White has expressed extreme skepticism about this possibility, citing Jones’ recent retreat from a fight deal with Tom Aspinall as a factor that damaged their relationship.
Jones, 38, remains hopeful and continues intensive training while acknowledging Dana White holds the final decision. He shared on social media his optimism about participating in the White House event and referenced the excitement Dana showed before their fallout. Jones framed the situation as another challenging goal in his career, emphasizing persistence despite setbacks.
“Despite the odds, I’m still training and optimistic about the possibility of being part of the White House event,”
Jones wrote.
“At the end of the day, Dana is the boss and it’s his call whether I compete that night or not. I do know Dana was really excited about the fight, and the door hasn’t been completely closed.”
“That’s all a guy like me really needs. It sounds like another awesome goal to be inspired by. Sometimes in life, we’re not going to reach everything we set out to do and that’s okay. But I like my chances… after all, one in a billion is exactly what it took to end up as Jon ‘Bones’ Jones in the first place.”
—Jon Jones, UFC Fighter
As the rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier continues, Jones’ persistence to reclaim his position among MMA’s greatest remains clear. Whether or not he secures a spotlight fight at the White House or shifts public opinion on his legacy, the tension surrounding his place in MMA history fuels ongoing debates among fans and analysts alike.