It's safe to say Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier don't like each other. Even a five-round war for the UFC's light heavyweight crown wasn't enough to help sever this friendship that was likely never meant to be.
Jones wasn't just satisfied with dominating his Olympic-level counterpart—he wanted everyone to know that they hadn't hashed out any of their differences. The animosity, in many ways, continued to breathe.
"I don't like Daniel Cormier," Jones said Saturday night on FOX Sports 1. "I don't respect Daniel Cormier. I hope he's somewhere crying right now. I'm sure he is. I can't wait until he earns his way back, so I can whoop him again."
The men argued. The men fought. The story was over. But then this happened:
UFC champion Jon Jones announces he's entered a drug treatment facility http://t.co/FMJX9BzSOS via @YahooSports
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 6, 2015
And just like that, amid the champion's earth-shattering announcement on Tuesday, Cormier may have started moving this relationship into the right direction. He told MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani of Jones' failed drug test:
"I am aware of Jon's test and if there is anything to say it is this: there are a lot of people you impact, so please let's get it together. Good luck on your rehab!"
From what I understand the test was "out of competition" per the WADA code, so no suspension/fine/result overturned for Jones.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 6, 2015
Considering the positive test was conducted outside of competition, Cormier arguably has no reason to be upset. Things might be different, however, if the drug tests conducted during fight week come back with any traces of cocaine metabolites.
FYI - the fighters were subjected to blood and urine tests the week of the of the fight, but those results aren't out yet.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 6, 2015
Be sure to keep up with Bleacher Report MMA as this story continues to develop.
Kristian Ibarra is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report MMA. He also serves as the sports editor at San Diego State University's student-run newspaper, The Daily Aztec. Follow him on Twitter at @Kristian_Ibarra for all things MMA.
