Calling Jon Jones the GOAT may still be wrong due to history with substance abuse, says Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier (Left), and Jon Jones (Right)
Daniel Cormier (Left), and Jon Jones (Right)

Daniel Cormier weighed in on the GOAT debate surrounding Jon Jones and whether he can stake that claim due to his history with banned substances.

During ESPN's DC & RC show, Cormier discussed Jones' submission win over Ciryl Gane to win the vacant heavyweight championship this past weekend. He mentioned that although it was an impressive win and a milestone in his career, he thinks it could still be wrong to refer to his former foe as the GOAT.

"This always puts me in a tough position because I will always say guys that have bad things attached to their name should not be held on high."

'DC's views on holding athletes to a high standard is the reason why many considered Georges St-Pierre as the GOAT because of how he conducted himself and that there wasn't an asterisk in his career in terms of USADA violations.

Cormier mentioned that drug test failures are the reason why he may refrain from calling Jones the GOAT. But, the 43-year-old added that Jones definitely makes a strong case for being in the discussion.

"I think especially with the drugs and the steroid failures and those types of things. I think when you have those things, it's hard to call you the greatest of all time. And I know Anderson [Silva] and all those guys, but I think [Jones] is in the conversation because he's become a heavyweight champion and now he's won belts in two weight classes."

Despite their well-documented rivalry, Daniel Cormier has complimented Jones on both his performance and becoming a two-division champion. Furthermore, he remained professional when discussing their rivalry throughout the UFC 285 fight week.


Daniel Cormier believes Alexander Volkanovski should still be No.1 in the UFC P4P rankings

Following his heavyweight championship win this past weekend, Jon Jones moved into the No.1 spot in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings, which had previously been held by Alexander Volkanovski.

During the DC & RC show, Daniel Cormier mentioned that he believes 'Volk' should have retained the No.1 ranking even though Jones won the heavyweight championship because of how active he has been in recent years.

Although Cormier believes the featherweight champion deserves to still be the ranked No.1, he doesn't have an issue with 'Bones' earning that spot because he moved up a weight division and won the title.

"I don't, for my opinion, believe he should be No.1 pound-for-pound...I think Alexander Volkanovski should still stay there. I don't think he should be No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but I have no issue with it if people have voted that," concluded Daniel Cormier.

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