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Time of India

'Don't think his ego could handle that' - UFC Hall of Famer reveals rival Jon Jones' thought process amid enraged fans' demand to strip the title

UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC two-weight champion Daniel Cormier shared one of the greatest rivalries in the promotion's history with the current heavyweight champion, Jon Jones . The rivalry was not just limited to the Octagon fights but also included brawls during media appearances and wars of words. Even though the enmity has somewhat settled down in recent times, it wouldn't be wrong to say that the fighters have a psychological understanding of each other owing to the past shared between them and this makes Cormier believe that Jones' ego is the very element that would ensure a heavyweight title bout between Bones and Tom Aspinall amid the ongoing fan demand to strip Jones of his title . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Former rival Daniel Cormier vouches for Jon Jones' return to the Octagon, claims that the fighter will definitely face Tom Aspinall The title unification bout between the current UFC heavyweight interim champion, Tom Aspinall, and the heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, is taking forever to be announced. Fans believe that Jones is the one responsible for the delay, as they speculate that there might be a chance the heavyweight veteran might be ducking the fight. Recently, the fighter even teased retirement through a conversation with a fellow fighter, which has instigated the fans into launching a petition to strip Jones of his belt. The fighter had a rather calm response to the entire petition issue. While talking about the laid-back attitude of the fighter, one of his biggest UFC rivals, Daniel Cormier, in a recent episode of The Funky and The Champ, put forward his opinion on the ongoing narrative and the possible step by Bones. 'I don't know that he vacates without fighting Tom, because I think the visual, and the lasting thought would be that 'He ran from him.'' Cormier stated, 'And I don't think his ego could handle that he ran from someone.' Daniel Cormier & Ben Askren REACT to Jon Jones avoiding Tom Aspinall, Merab broken toe, O'Malley The UFC Hall of Famer emphasised the fact that public image is something that matters to Jones a lot. 'The idea that people would think he's afraid means more to him than going out there and fighting him and taking the chance. Especially when there's a real possibility that he just outclasses Tom Aspinall. I think he will fight him, I don't think they'll need to strip him, he'll fight him.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Cormier further added, 'He could walk away and go 'I'm the best, I don't need to do anything else'. But the idea that he ran, is going to be too strong of a pull for him as he goes into the next phase of his career.' Also read: After claiming the interim heavyweight belt, Aspinall fought and defended the title once against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. The wait for the unification bout after Jones defended his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 has made Aspinall the longest-reigning interim champion in the history of the promotion.