In the aftermath of Jon “Bones” Jones return to the Octagon at UFC 232 and victory over Alexander Gustafsson in the third round, the New Yorker sensationally called out reigning heavyweight champion Daniel Cornier.
Jones was returning to UFC after failing another USADA drug test last year and subsequently serving a 15-month suspension. Jones defended his light heavyweight title that he had held for four years with a TKO over Swede Gustafsson.
When asked by Joe Rogan in the post-fight interview - available to watch below - as to what his next plan was, Jones immediately took the opportunity to call out perennial rival Cormier.
“I know there’s a guy who’s been calling himself Champ-Champ”
“I mean, what guy just gives up his belt because somebody else made it home
“Daddy's home DC, prove to the fans you’re a champ-champ, come get a taste, I’m here come get your belt back, I'll be waiting right here."
Though he wasn’t in attendance, Cormier had immediately thrown back a heavy dose of shade upon Jones’ victory on social media by referencing his rival’s past drug violations;
“I mean sh*t , he should win! Dude starts with a head start everytime”
Jones himself had referenced the controversy pre-fight;
“I feel like I’m a polarising athlete and that’s just going to follow me,”
Jones had said on stage.
“I feel through USADA’s study that I’ll be vindicated. Until then I’m just focusing on things I can control.”
The fight - the last on the UFC calendar and heavily billed - had had to be moved with just six days’ notice from Las Vegas to California due to Jones being found to have a trace of a steroid in his system.
You can watch the video of Jones’ post-fight comments below.
"Daddy's home DC, come get your belt back!" 👀
Jon Jones is back, and he's going straight for his old pal Daniel Cormier 🍿
#UFC232