Jon Jones says he is happy Daniel Cormier became a UFC champion

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and current champion Daniel Cormier do not like each other. The two are a part of one the biggest rivalries the UFC has seen and were set to rematch this weekend at UFC 197.

However, an injury sidelined Cormier and now Jones is set to face Ovince Saint Preux for the interim light heavyweight title.

With Jones being stripped of the title and suspended by the UFC for personal legal issues in 2015, Cormier was able to capture the vacant title and is now the reigning champ. Even with their heated rivalry, Jones admits that he was happy in a way to see Cormier be able to become a champion.

“I’m really aware with everything that’s happened,” Jones said to MMA Fighting. “I took myself out of the competition being a knucklehead and gave DC an opportunity of a lifetime to finally capture that belt.

“This may sound weird, but in a way I’m happy for him to have gotten a taste of the opportunity. Because outside of the fact that I don’t like him, he’s really not a bad guy. And watching him, he makes a great champion. He has a clean image. He seems like a family guy who works really hard and everything like that.

“So, me not being in there, you want to see a guy like DC have the belt. So a part of me, in a weird way, is happy that he got the opportunity. But now he’s had it long enough.”

Now that Jones is back to competition, the former champ says Cormier’s time is up and it is time to get back what he feels belongs to him.

“I hope he enjoyed it. It’s time to pay his rental fee and get that ass whooped when I finally face him.”

Jones has a tough task ahead of him as he will have to get through Saint Preux this weekend for his chance to fight Daniel Cormier for the undisputed title. Will Jon Jones be able to do it? Or will Ovince Saint Preux spoil Jones’ return to the Octagon?