Daniel Cormier: Something bad will happen if Jon Jones enters octagon after UFC 210

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Daniel Cormier has some business to take care of on Saturday night, and if he does, there’s a fairly inevitable follow-up that awaits.

As much as Cormier (18-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has his mind on defending his light heavyweight title against Anthony Johnson (22-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) in a UFC 210 main-event rematch, the questions about former champ Jon Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) are going to happen.

UFC 210 takes place Saturday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Jones is from Rochester, N.Y., not far from Buffalo. And guess who’s going to be in town for various sit-downs with the media, autograph signings with fans, and to take in the fights on Saturday? Jon Jones, of course.

If Cormier beats Johnson again, it may set up a fight with Jones, which was supposed to happen this past July at UFC 200 before Jones failed a pre-fight drug test and ultimately got suspended for a year. But the current champ warned against Jones coming into the cage after the fight.

“He better not come in my cage after I win,” Cormier told media members today following a workout session at KeyBank Center. “He’s not welcome in there. He’s still suspended. When he’s eligible to fight, he can walk in there. But if he dares to step foot in that octagon … something bad will happen.”

Jones is eligible to return in July when his yearlong term is up. The timing would be right for a return during the UFC’s blockbuster International Fight Week, and the promotion has hinted in the past that it’s certainly possible for Jones to return to an immediate title fight.

Jones was stripped of his belt after his involvement in a hit-and-run accident nearly two years ago. When he returned, he won an interim title against Ovince Saint Preux to set up the fight with Cormier, but never made it to the fight after the positive test.

Cormier said if the situation was reversed, he wouldn’t be showing himself around during fight week. He also took a shot at a post-UFC 210 party he said Jones is scheduled to appear at, given Jones’ past admissions of issues with drinking and drug use.

“This is where he’s from. I get it,” Cormier said. “But if it was me and I was in his situation, I wouldn’t be here. Whoever made an after-party for a recovering alcoholic has to be the smartest human being on the planet. I mean, come on. I’m dumbfounded. You put that guy in a party situation? Good luck.

“The guy is the most talented athlete I’ve ever competed against. The guy is so good in every aspect of fighting. For him to do what he’s done to limit the history he was making, it’s crazy. It’s sad. But at the end of the day, I have to worry about myself and Anthony Johnson. You guys care about Jon Jones. We don’t. He’s a non-factor.”

After Saturday, regardless of who wins between Cormier and Johnson, though, Jones almost certainly will be a factor as July approaches.

For more on UFC 210, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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