Pre-fight media events have a long history of getting contentious — it’s all part of the business of hyping an upcoming bout. While promoting UFC 178, reigning light heavyweight champ Jon Jones made more forehead contact than Daniel Cormier was prepared to oblige and pandemonium ensued.
The fight’s storyline has been a while in the making. A few weeks back, Jones’ impossibly-cute 6-year-old daughter helped stoke the conflict on Instagram by guaranteeing Cormier that her daddy was going to beat him up.
Jones and Cormier dutifully picked up the sniping on Twitter after the media promo.
Come on DC where was your takedown defense?
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 4, 2014
"@JonnyBones: Come on DC where was your takedown defense?" I got some td def for you. Don't ever put ur dirty face on me again.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 4, 2014
I won't let another man get in my face and put his forehead against mine. I will react every time. @JonnyBones next time I will slap you.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 4, 2014
Put some ice on that face DC, you got lots of interviews tomorrow
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 4, 2014
The two fighters managed to remain in character during their ESPN interview to finish off an exhausting day of tit-for-tat. In the video clip, Cormier and Jones share very different recollections of their original meeting which occurred backstage at Brock Lesnar’s fight with Cain Velasquez.
If they keep this up until their September 27th fight date, they’re going to be too gassed to throw anything in the octagon.
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