Mike Winkeljohn believes Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy fight will happen

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have arguably the biggest rivalry in MMA.

The two have fought two times before. They first fought at UFC 182, when Jones beat Cormier by decision to defend the light heavyweight title. They fought for a second time at UFC 214. This time, it was “DC” who was the champion, but Jones once again came out on top. However, the fight was eventually ruled a no-contest after Jones tested positive for turinabol.

Since then, Daniel Cormier became a two-division UFC champ and is the current heavyweight champion. Jon Jones, meanwhile, is once again the light heavyweight champion.

Although the two both have fights booked, many are hoping a trilogy fight between them happens next.

Jones’ coach in Mike Winkeljohn believes the fight will indeed happen.

“I think it happens, yeah. It is something that Daniel really wants, he can’t let it go. You can’t blame him, he is a fighter. He wants to get it back,” Winkeljohn said to BJPENN.com. “Jon doesn’t have to take it again, but that being said, Jon thinks he has his number, we think we have his number. At heavyweight, of course, he is bigger and stronger, but Jon will be too.”

Mike Winkeljohn says the weight class ‘doesn’t matter’ for Jon Jones

The pair’s first two fights have been at light heavyweight, and Cormier is adamant about having the possible third fight at 205 pounds as well. According to Winkeljohn, the weight class doesn’t really matter, although heavyweight doesn’t make as much sense for Jones.

“It doesn’t matter to me, it really doesn’t. It is a style matchup that favors Jon. Then, with enough time, he can be a decent size heavyweight. If it is heavyweight, we need time to get weight on him,” he explained. “It really isn’t the best to do it at heavyweight because then it will take a long time for him to come back down to 205.”

For now, Mike Winkeljohn and Jon Jones are focused on Thiago Santos. But, they believe this is a fight that will happen in the future. If it happens at heavyweight for the title, Jones needs to be paid accordingly.

“I always thought Jon would stay at light heavyweight and clean house. But, it is all about big fights and fights that motivate Jon. So, if the money is right, Jon will do it and step up to heavyweight.”

Do you think the trilogy fight between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones will happen? Let us know in the comments section.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/24/2019.