Jon Jones explains why heavyweight rematch with Daniel Cormier won’t be happening

As Jon Jones gears up for his UFC 232 rematch with Alexander Gustafsson, many fans are wondering if we might see him rematch his arch rival Daniel Cormier in the New Year — perhaps even for the heavyweight belt.

Apparently, however, any potential Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier rematch will not occur in the heavyweight division. Jones considers that Cormier’s turf.

“It’s up to Daniel Cormier to challenge me to get his belt back,” Jon Jones told MMA Fighting. “I heard that he ended up relinquishing his [light heavyweight] belt, and I think that’s a good look. But at the end of the day, I know most people know that he never was the champion. Hats off to him for being the heavyweight champion of the world, but I’ve been the light heavyweight champion since 2011. That’s just facts. That’s just facts. The belt was given to him. He has not beaten me. So, he can cancel all doubts by challenging me and really being a legit champ champ.”

“He’s designed to be a heavyweight,” Jon Jones continued. “He’s comfortable there. He naturally goes to heavyweight between every fight. That is his spot, and like I said, he makes a great heavyweight champion. Even before fighting me, he was on a tear at heavyweight. That’s his zone. I have no reason to challenge him at heavyweight, because for me it’s not personal.

“When he comes down to light heavyweight, it’ll be personal again. And he can have what he has, I’ll have what I have, and that’s being the most dominant light heavyweight champion, the only light heavyweight champion since 2011.”

Does a light heavyweight rematch between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier interest you?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/29/2018.