Daniel Cormier Says Jon Jones Has Turned Down Seven-Figure Offer For Wrestling Match

Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier recently addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding a potential wrestling or grappling match with longtime rival Jon Jones… Claiming Jones has repeatedly declined despite significant financial incentives. Cormier revealed that efforts are still being made behind the scenes to organize a match: They are trying to make a wrestling match come […]

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Daniel Cormier recently revealed that his long-time rival, Jon Jones, declined a substantial seven-figure offer for a wrestling match. Cormier, a former two-division UFC champion and Olympic wrestler, expressed his belief that Jones's refusal stems from a fear of losing and potentially damaging his carefully cultivated legacy. This revelation comes amidst their storied rivalry, which has seen them clash multiple times in the UFC Octagon.

According to Cormier, the lucrative offer was presented to Jones, but he ultimately turned it down. Cormier speculated that Jones, despite his dominant MMA career, might be hesitant to compete in a pure wrestling environment where his striking and jiu-jitsu advantages would be nullified, leaving him exposed to a potential loss against a decorated wrestler like Cormier. This decision, in Cormier's view, highlights Jones's priority in protecting his undefeated image in grappling-focused scenarios.

The discussion around high-profile MMA fighters engaging in pure grappling contests, whether wrestling or jiu-jitsu, is always of interest to the BJJ community. While this specific offer was for wrestling, it underscores the potential for top-tier athletes to cross over into other grappling disciplines for significant payouts. Jones's decision to forgo such an opportunity, as interpreted by Cormier, provides insight into the strategic considerations and legacy protection that influence the careers of elite combat sports athletes.