Even fighters who dwarf Conor McGregor are looking up to him.
At UFC 210, the undisputed light heavyweight title will go on the line for the first time since 2015 as champion Daniel Cormier takes on knockout monster Anthony Johnson in a highly anticipated rematch.
To the victor will go the spoils of a huge title fight against Jon Jones, who’s set to return this summer after serving his suspension stemming from a failed drug test at UFC 200.
However, president Dana White famously claimed on SiriusXM that because of Jones’ past mistakes – being the central figure in UFC 200’s main event collapsing, testing positive for cocaine metabolites, breaking that pregnant woman’s arm in a hit-and-run etc – the odds of him headlining a card in the near future are slim.
“I don’t (trust him), no. I don’t. In my opinion, I would never take the risk of headlining a show with Jon Jones again. I’d put him on the card, but I wouldn’t headline with him until he consistently gets back on track.”
“Millions of dollars are spent on this. For a card to fall apart, and how many cards have fallen apart because Jon Jones gets in trouble for something? So no, I’m not at that place with him.”
Cormier admitted on the MMA Hour that he has had the rematch against Jones in his sights since January 2015, when ‘Bones’ took a unanimous decision victory in their UFC 182 headliner.
He welcomed Jones getting the next crack at the 205 lb belt after his suspension ends, despite his troubles outside the Octagon keeping him inactive for an extended period. However, if White refused to make that fight a main event, Cormier would have to put the foot down.
“We’d all have to have some discussions. I’m not going to fight Jones on some card. It would have to be a certain type of card if we were going to take a co-main event type of role.”
There’s only on man on planet Earth Cormier would be willing to play second fiddle to with a grudge match against Jones, the guy who’s holding all the chips in the fight game.
“I’ll put it out there – Jon and I will not fight in a co-main event to anyone other than Conor McGregor. That’s the only way that makes sense, right?”
It doesn’t matter how much you weigh or how hard you hit, everyone wants a cut of that sweet, sweet Red Panty Night revenue.
