LAS VEGAS — The pre-fight festivities between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier went to a new level on Monday morning when a staredown between the pair ended up resulting in a brawl that destroyed the stage and sent security officers scrambling to contain both fighters.
Here's a video of the melee:
Jones and Cormier, with UFC representative Dave Sholler in the middle, met in the center of a small stage set up for media interviews. They immediately went face to face, and Cormier shoved Jones backwards. Jones surged forward and threw a punch over Sholler, attempting to land on Cormier. He continued lunging after Cormier, and both fighters fell through a backdrop and onto the floor of the MGM Grand lobby.
As UFC security forces attempted to pull the men apart, but Jones continued throwing punches at Cormier. The challenger, arms held behind his back by security, flailed with his legs and tried to kick Jones in the head.
Oh here's the staredown DC& Jones pic.twitter.com/dLfswAVBgq
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) August 4, 2014
Security finally pulled both fighters apart. Jones went back on the stage, raised his face to the ceiling and let out a ferocious howl.
Immediately afterwards, Jones sent out a series of tweets ridiculing Cormier:
Come on DC where was your takedown defense?
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 4, 2014
I put you on your back in six seconds
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 4, 2014
Put some ice on that face DC, you got lots of interviews tomorrow
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 4, 2014
Cormier responded accordingly:
"@JonnyBones: Come on DC where was your takedown defense?" I got some td def for you. Don't ever put ur dirty face on me again.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 4, 2014
I won't let another man get in my face and put his forehead against mine. I will react every time. @JonnyBones next time I will slap you.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 4, 2014
UFC president Dana White, on vacation, reacts to news of the Jones-Cormier skirmish:
I just landed in Bora Bora for my first vacation in a while and it's starting off perfect!!! @dc_mma and @JonnyBones
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 4, 2014
We'll continue to update this story with photos, videos and text as more information becomes available. Jones and Cormier are scheduled to compete in the main event of UFC 178 on September 27 in Las Vegas.
