Morning Report: Jon Jones picks Daniel Cormier to beat Anthony Johnson at UFC 206 but would rather fight 'Rumble'
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he would rather fight Anthony Johnson for the 205-pound belt so he can clean out the division.
Jon Jones has returned in full, at least to social media.
After the longtime 205-pound champion was stripped of his title last year for his outside-the-cage actions, Jones' online presence became markedly less active. But recently, with his looming drug hearings, and the rematch between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson coming up at UFC 206, Jones has been posting frequently to Twitter and Instagram.
And despite the long history of bad blood between them and Jones taking shots at Cormier recently, Jones doesn't deny his rival's talent, picking Cormier to win the rematch with Johnson based on his overall MMA game.
If I had to bet I would go with DC, his overall game is more complete https://t.co/PhyhxkzK5c
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 28, 2016
Jones handed Cormier his first an only loss last January via competitive but dominant unanimous decision at UFC 182. Then when Jones was stripped, Cormier won the vacant light heavyweight belt by submitting Johnson in the third round of UFC 187. Cormier then defended the belt once against Alexander Gustafsson.
After sitting out for almost a year, Jones was supposed to make his return against Cormier at UFC at UFC 197 in April but Cormier was forced to withdraw from the bout with an injury and instead Jones faced Ovince Saint Preux for an interim title which Jones won. Jones and Cormier were then scheduled to main event UFC 200 but just days before the event Jones was removed from the card for failing a pre-fight USADA drug test.
Since then new information has come to light that Jones' failed tests were possibly the result of a tainted supplement which Jones' attorney says USADA has independently confirmed. Jones' arbitration is scheduled for today (October 31) wherein it will be determined how long he will be suspended, if at all.
If the reports of the tainted supplement are true, it seems likely that Jones will be back in action by early next year, likely against the winner of the UFC 206 main event. If this is the case, despite picking Cormier, Jones will be cheering for "Rumble" Johnson so he can kill two birds with one stone.
I would much rather fight Rumble for the title. That way I could clear the division and get my belt back at once https://t.co/aZJKjuUsP7
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 26, 2016
That type of thinking is still premature though. Even if his hearing with USADA goes well, Jones still has to clear one last hurdle before he can get back in the cage, a Nov. 10th hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The NSAC isn't beholden to whatever decision the USADA arbitration will yield and could well suspend Jones despite his tainted supplement explanation.
In the meantime, Jones' backing of Cormier did not go unnoticed by the current light heavyweight champion.
Smart man JOHNNY boy! Thank you https://t.co/nkQhUtAfNR
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 28, 2016
Whatever happens with his upcoming meetings, it's at least nice to have Jones back and active on social media, if not in the cage.
MUST-READ STORIES
Union. Randy Couture believes fighters are tired of "taking it in the shorts" and that a Fighter Association is imminent.
Happy place. Daniel Cormier is trying to be "at peace" with the Jon Jones-USADA situation.
I miss Hunto. Mark Hunt retains a lawyer to explore his legal options against the UFC.
Records. Dana White says UFC 205 has already broken Madison Square Garden's live gate record.
Harsh. The UFC has removed Fabricio Werdum from his broadcasting duties for his Reebok dissension.
All the drugs. Adam Hunter received a two-year ban after testing positive for five banned substances.
EXTRA CREDIT
Nebulous definitions. Jordan Breen dissects the varying levels of greatness of Urijah Faber.
MEDIA STEW
Wonderboy doing dope things.
TTTHS
Is buttoning polo shirts all the way to the top fashionable these days?
Now Nate has 30 pounds on him apparently. By January, Nate will be a 10-foot tall velociraptor in the retellings.
RFA Highlights from the weekend.
Bisping is a real fun champion.
These aren't getting a lot of attention but the veteran fighter summit is a legit thing and these are worth checking out.
LISTEN UP
Throwback with Art Davie
Three Amigos
Parting Shot
TWEETS
Ouch. Odd to start this beef right here.
To support his habit during suspension, apparently Jon Jones (he blocked me) picked up a cash job. Clever disguise Jon. pic.twitter.com/HzYHsknjil
— Purdue has NO ❤ (@mattmitrione) October 28, 2016
@mattmitrione I have more money in real estate then your net worth. You come out of nowhere talking shit, fuck off bro
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 28, 2016
@JonnyBones it's ok princess, cocaine and your other habits that we ALL know about will drain that. You're a great talent w God complex.
— Purdue has NO ❤ (@mattmitrione) October 28, 2016
Great response from JBJ here. He's starting to figure it out.
@mattmitrione have a good weekend, hope this somehow made you feel better
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 28, 2016
Big indeed.
Just landed in LA, staying in Santa Monica tonight. Big meeting tomorrow
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 31, 2016
And here is another Twitter beef that popped off.
You're not a warrior; you're a joke. And a bad, unfunny one at that. https://t.co/TYDva7j41J
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) October 28, 2016
@EliasTheodorou you hope he does so you don't ever have to stand in front of me you are no spartan. Your a boring scared fighter.
— Alex Nicholson (@spartanlife32) October 28, 2016
Do you have any other material? Would you like me to write some for you? I'm assuming you can read... https://t.co/c8EuIHfN5A
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) October 28, 2016
This one got a lot of love from MMA folk and really got under Nicholson's skin.
How's this: you're a racist, cowardly, piece of women-abusing garbage and if you ever get enough wins, I'll gladly beat the breaks off you. https://t.co/QvHezOKwMI
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) October 28, 2016
@EliasTheodorou you don't know me or my story. I'll hurt you and that is why you resort to talking shit not accepting a challenge
— Alex Nicholson (@spartanlife32) October 28, 2016
Just an odd, incongruous response.
@EliasTheodorou I've knocked out undefeated heavyweights I'm no racist or woman beater you run in all your fights you're a joke pic.twitter.com/vkM5EwJGq9
— Alex Nicholson (@spartanlife32) October 28, 2016
Very solid costume.
Game....Blouses pic.twitter.com/fnVrsGit0X
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) October 30, 2016
Stipe done started a movement.
#RallyTogether#WorldSeries#YourTurn @indians https://t.co/IoWpVtMwr9
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) October 30, 2016
Heresy.
Fudge sounds better than it actually is
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) October 29, 2016
Sage on that Matt Hughes training plan.
Flipping Hay Bales getting ready for UFC On FOX 22 @ufc @foxsports pic.twitter.com/3diUiZNHX1
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) October 29, 2016
It should be his.
#SomeoneIsHoldingMyBelt @RafaelCarvalh74, get ready, i'm hungry#Bellatormma #mmapic.twitter.com/DayyBuxLhO
— Melvin Manhoef (@team_manhoef) October 28, 2016
Damn.
Shade
Sneak attack.
Looks pretty good for his first drop down.
JJ on the mitts.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2004: Wanderlei Silva KO'd Quinton Jackson for the second time to defend his Pride middleweight championship at Pride 28.
FINAL THOUGHTS
And back in the saddle again. It's been a minute but we are back to fight week and this one kicks off a long stretch of events. Get hype everyone and happy Halloween.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.