Daniel Cormier discusses whether "good friend" Jon Jones can successfully rebuild second phase of UFC career

Former two-weight champion Daniel Cormier gave his thoughts on Jon Jones' anticipated return as a heavyweight in 2023. On his YouTube podcast, 'DC' said that Jones, being a big draw, should fight the big names in the division.

Cormier alluded to the difference in the caliber of the current heavyweights - who are faster and more durable than the ones that fought when 'Bones' was the light heavyweight champion.

'DC' alluded to the speed, strength and dexterity of Ciryl Gane as an example.

Daniel Cormier started his bit with the star power of Jon Jones and how he would need a fighter of equal stature to be his debut opponent at heavyweight. Daniel Cormier spoke of how the landscape of the heavyweight division has changed since when Jones last fought:

"Now, we've got the monster heavyweight champion. We've got monsters who move like bantamweights, in Ciryl Gane. You listen to [my] Tai Tuivasa interview, and he told me he couldn't understand how he [Gane] was so fast [in their fight]." (2:20)

Daniel Cormier alluded to the Hall-of-Famer list that Jon Jones had beaten to build his resume. Off of that resume itself, Jones would have to face big names like Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic in his debut. 'DC' said that while Jones was still fighting, and had he decided to move up in weight back then, he would probably face a slower heavyweight:

"Before, Jones might have went up there and fought guys that were lumbering. But [that's] not [the case] anymore. These guys [the current heavyweights] are athletes. These are the guys that shot an NFL line, somewhere. And now, they're fighting." (2:40)

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What does Daniel Cormier personally think of Jon Jones' heavyweight return?

Daniel Cormier weighed in on Jon Jones' anticipated return in 2023 and spoke about the position that the former light heavyweight champion is currently in. Given his star power, Jones will have to fight someone of the same stature as him.

'DC' alluded to the 'whole new world of athletes' waiting for Jones in the heavyweight division. As opposed to when Jones was fighting, the current roster of heavyweights are athletes who might have had a previous football career - who are faster and more athletic than traditional heavyweight fighters of old.

Here's what Daniel Cormier personally thinks of Jones' move to heavyweight:

"I believe that his fight IQ is as high as anyone we've seen in the octagon. His ability to just end fights is very good. Me, being a guy that's spent 45 minutes in the cage with him, [I think] that his ability to just end fights, makes him very difficult to fight." (3:20)

Jon Jones may have major success in the heavyweight division if he meets slower opponents. It will be interesting to see him build on the second phase of his UFC career against faster heavyweights. The former light heavyweight champion's career was marred by controversies when he was the reigning champion.