Jon Jones wasn’t impressed with long-term rival Daniel Cormier in their latest opposition over DC’s Mount Rushmore.
Jones and Cormier share a bitter rivalry, having fought twice in the UFC across their careers.
Jones famously beat Cormier twice during their UFC careers, but their 2017 rematch was overturned after ‘Bones’ failed a drugs test, which has left a bitter taste in his rival’s mouth ever since.
When Cormier was recently asked on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast who would make up his MMA Mount Rushmore, he simultaneously made a jab at his two-time rival.
He said: “Demetrious Johnson. Georges St-Pierre. Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib was undefeated.
“Fourth? God, that is where it gets tough. I would never put myself up there, right? But I’m right in that 4-7 range of [fighters].
“Anderson Silva had the steroids, so I can’t put Anderson. I would like to put Anderson.
“If I’m saying all those guys are included, then obviously Jon Jones and Anderson are on that Mount Rushmore. I refuse to do that. Not in fighting.”
It didn’t take long for Jones to take to social media in response to his old foe’s comments.
Jones wrote on X: “When DC tells his story, somehow I’m always the co-star. Thanks @ShannonSharpe84 for the invite, even if I was only there in spirit. #Airbnb.”
He engaged with fans in the comment section that were defending his rival, before uploading one final post to summarise his own successful career and make a dig at Cormier.
He wrote: “High school state champ, JUCO national champ, youngest UFC champion, greatest in MMA history.
“A lifetime of loss, victories and sacrifice and this guy wants to write it all off as steroids. Honestly, it’s insulting.
“But I can’t help but laugh, knowing it was God given abilities that made him feel so inferior.”
Jones is often on many people’s Mount Rushmore listings as an all-time great, given he has been beaten just once by Matt Hammill in December 2009.
He has reigned as a UFC champion at both light-heavyweight and heavyweight, and is often regarded by White as the greatest to step in the cage.
But Cormier and Jones still hold a level of resentment from their fighting days, despite previously burying the hatchet.
What’s next for Jon Jones and is he still retired?
Jones retired back in June, vacating his belt after failed negotiations over a blockbuster UFC showdown with Tom Aspinall.
But the famous pound-for-pound great has since made a U-turn and is now vying for a spot on the UFC White House card which has been plotted for July 4, 2026.
At one point it did seem possible as UFC CEO, Dana White, said that a heavyweight clash between Jones and Tom Aspinall would be his dream headline for the event.
Although, White has since backtracked his initial statement.
Having now said that he would trust Conor McGregor more to be in that headline slot, despite the Irishman’s period of inactivity, Jones’ chances have been stated as ‘a billion to one’.
Despite all of that, Jones remains confident that the door is not fully closed on him getting a sport on the historic card.