Jon Jones couldn’t resist taking a pot-shot at Daniel Cormier after the light-heavyweight champion pulled out of their headline fight at UFC 197 later this month.
“So much for being willing to die,” Jones stated on Twitter, a reference to a comment Cormier had made to him during the build-up to the fight.
Jones later deleted that post, and instead wrote a more charitable message of consolation to his rival.
“I don’t wish injuries on anyone, I hope you have a healthy recovery Daniel,” Jones wrote. “Enjoy that belt.”
Meanwhile, Jones started off on a better foot with his new opponent Ovince St. Preux, who agreed to fight him for the interim title on just three weeks notice.
“Hey @003_OSP just wanted to thank you for stepping up and taking this fight last minute,” Jones said. “Grateful for the opportunity to compete with you.”
OSP is currently ranked No.6 in the division and has won three of his past four fights. The 32 year-old hadn’t been in the title picture prior to this, with the likes of Anthony ‘Rumble ‘Johnson’ and Alexander Gustafsson still above him in the pecking order, so when this unexpected opportunity to fight for the interim belt emerged, he appears to have grabbed it with both hands.
