Cormier wants Jones fight at UFC 214: 'It's my rules, I'm the champ now'
Daniel Cormier doesn't believe in tune-up fights.
During a segment on Wednesday's episode of "UFC Tonight," the light heavyweight champion was asked what his rival Jon Jones should do next. UFC president Dana White has said that it will be up to Jones if he wants to rematch Cormier or face another opponent to shake off ring rust that may have accumulated since his last fight in April 2016.
That kind of talk isn't sitting well with "DC" and he advised Jones to fight him at UFC 214 in Anaheim on July 29 or risk missing out on the opportunity altogether.
"Take the fight with me, Jon Jones," Cormier said, according to Mike Bohn of MMAjunkie. "There are no tune-up fights in the UFC. Try to get your title back. Come meet your boy DC, come get this money. Let's get money together and give the people in Anaheim a show.
"No tune-up for Jon Jones, he gets to come and get beat by me this time. We're fighting right now or he doesn't get to fight me. It's my rules, I'm the champ now."
Cormier has held the 205-pound title since May 2015 when he defeated Anthony "Rumble" Johnson for a vacant belt. That situation was created by Jones being stripped of the championship due to his involvement in a hit-and-run.
Twice Cormier and Jones have been booked to rematch, with a Cormier injury spoiling the first attempt and a failed drug test by Jones leading to the cancellation of the second. That failed test also resulted in Jones being suspended for a year. He will be eligible to compete again in July.
In their first meeting, Jones defeated Cormier via five-round unanimous decision.