A formal announcement by the UFC on Wednesday confirmed Jon "Bones" Jones and Daniel Cormier will headline UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas, and both fighters exuded the utmost confidence in their respective capabilities to earn the title of undisputed light heavyweight champion.
Speaking to reporters in New York, Jones and Cormier flashed their trademark bravado on the heels of Bones' unanimous-decision victory over Ovince Saint Preux last Saturday at UFC 197.
However, it was Jones who came out swinging with some pointed verbal jams for the man he dispatched by unanimous decision at UFC 182 last January, as documented by UFC on Twitter:
What does @JonnyBones think of @DC_MMA's last couple of fights?
— UFC (@ufc) April 27, 2016
https://t.co/iINMHugHzv
Jones also explained why he doesn't believe Cormier is elite despite the fact the 37-year-old owns a 17-1 record all-time, according to MMAFighting.com's Shaun Al-Shatti:
DC should have a lot of confidence; Outside of me, he's the next best thing. He can beat these other guys. He can't beat me. I don't believe greatness is coincidence, and I don't believe DC is great.
If he was great, he would've beaten Cael Sanderson in college. If he was great, he would've made weight in the Olympics. If he was great, he would've beaten me the first time. I've never lost a fight. So let him be confident. He can beat these other guys all day. He's not beating me.
Cormier, though, was armed with a counterpunch as he outlined his plan of attack for revenge in advance of the rematch, via UFC on Twitter (warning: NSFW language):
What's @DC_MMA's game plan for Jones? https://t.co/tdWQKrd35q
— UFC (@ufc) April 27, 2016
The two also sparred over their respective efforts against Alexander Gustafsson—whom Jones defeated by unanimous decision at UFC 165 and Cormier defeated by split decision at UFC 192 despite failing to take him down.
"The moment Gustafsson walked out of the Octagon with you, he called for a rematch," Cormier said, per Al-Shatti. "He's never asked to fight me again. When I get my hands on this guy, watch, you'll see a difference."
And while Cormier reportedly said Jones wasn't able to do more damage against him than Gustafsson did during their last fight, the 28-year-old shot back with a succinct reply.
"Oh yes I did," Jones said, according to Al-Shatti. "I made you cry."
"Last time, I foot swept you and held my hand on your head like you're my b---h," Jones said, per Al-Shatti. "And this is the guy who's supposed to be the Olympian. Come on, man. DC, you suck, bro. You call me a bum. I beat you four rounds to one. It wasn't even close. You're not even my toughest opponent. You're chump change."
And, as always, the two engaged in a staredown for the cameras, as documented by MMAFighting on YouTube:
As Wednesday's press conference demonstrated, tensions are rising between Jones and Cormier.
Not only do the two share a past, but they're undoubtedly itching to trade blows in the Octagon once again after Cormier's appearance at UFC 197 was derailed by a leg injury, according to MMAFighting.com's Dave Doyle.
And with more than two months remaining before they're slated to clash, the war of words between Jones and Cormier assuredly isn't over.
