The beef between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier? Oh man, it is **still** cooking, even with both guys supposedly “comfortably retired (for now).” You’d think stepping away from the octagon might cool things off, but nah, it just seems to give them more time to keep the hate alive. And honestly, that kind of relentless animosity? That’s what makes a rivalry legendary. We just saw the latest proof that some grudges burn forever.
The Ghost of Ali-Frazier
This kind of deep, burning animosity makes you think of the all-time greats, right? Like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Legendary sportswriter Jerry Izenberg, who covered both men, once recounted an incredible story from well after they’d retired. Ali asked Izenberg to apologize to Frazier for all the “stuff” he said back in the day, even claiming “it was all just to sell tickets.” We’re talking years of relentless verbal abuse here, like calling Frazier an “ignorant mule” and an “Uncle Tom.” Ali’s taunts were so bad, Frazier’s own kids got into fights at school because of them, permanently twisting public perception of Frazier in ways that stuck with him for life.
So, Izenberg delivered the message. Frazier, who never even used Ali’s name and always called him “him,” wanted the exact words. After hearing Ali’s apology, Frazier’s response was nothing short of savage: “OK, here’s what I want you to do. When you’re done talking to me, call him back. Tell him you told me exactly what he said. And tell him I said he can take sorry and shove it all the way up his ass.” Boom. That’s a real rivalry, folks. That’s the kind of grudge that burns for decades, the kind you just have to respect.
The Jones-Cormier Fire Still Burns
Fast forward to Jones and Cormier, and you gotta wonder if we’re seeing that same kind of history repeat itself. Cormier recently stirred the pot, bringing up Jones’ lone professional loss , that DQ against Matt Hamill for an illegal elbow that’s actually legal by today’s rules , when discussing MMA greats. And you know Jones wasn’t just gonna let that slide. He hopped on X, claiming he was so young back then he “didn’t even know the rules.” But then he pivoted, straight for the jugular. “My brother, Daniel Cormier, your jealousy runs so deep through your blood,” Jones fired back. “I honestly pray that the good Lord heals you from your envy and that, one day, you won’t feel the need to do interviews like this. Until then, it’s flattering to see the…”
This ain’t just some friendly jabs, is it? This is that deep-seated, “you still got under my skin” kind of energy. They’re both retired, “for now,” but that passion, that raw frustration, it still comes out. When you see a rivalry burning this hot, years later, you just have to respect it. It’s proof that some rivalries aren’t just for show, they’re for life.
What does this mean for these two “retired” legends? It means we’re still gonna get these explosive back-and-forths, maybe forever. It means that even without a cage, the mental warfare continues to ignite. Get ready, because the Jones-Cormier saga isn’t over, not by a long shot.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply