Daniel Cormier offers to train Ovince Saint Preux ahead of UFC 197

Daniel Cormier won't be participating in UFC 197 due to a foot injury, but is doing everything he can to ensure that his replacement, Ovince Saint Preux, emerges victorious over Jon Jones.

Cormier and Jones cultivated a contentious relationship over the past two years, engaging in numerous verbal feuds. Jones defeated Cormier at UFC 182 via unanimous decision, the lone loss of his mixed martial arts career.

With Saint Preux stepping in on less than a month's notice, Cormier is offering to help him devise a strategy to defeat Jones in the interim light heavyweight title fight on April 23.

"I don't mind playing spoiler. Ovince Saint Preux needs to know that not only me but every other guy at the American Kickboxing Academy are ready and open to open those doors in trying to help him accomplish his goals," Cormier said to FOX Sports' Damon Martin. "Get trained by the best team in the business."

Cormier is the incumbent light heavyweight champion but isn't upset that the UFC is staging an interim title fight while he recovers from injury.

"I know what I've done and I know who I am," Cormier said. "It didn't really affect me all that much. So if Jon (Jones) fought Anthony (Johnson), it would have made sense. No knock on Ovince, he's a great guy, but that last fight with Feijao (Rafael Cavalcante), you make these matches you kind expect it to be a fight where either guy can win and if Ovince wins, you've got Ovince with a belt after the fight he had with Feijao just right before. That would be the only issue."

Cormier is slated to fight the winner of UFC 197's marquee event, and is evidently doing his all to ensure Jones stays away from the title belt. With Cormier's feud with Jones actively brewing, UFC 197 could be compelling for many reasons that exist beyond the surface.