Jon Jones Sees Daniel Cormier At Heavyweight As His Greatest Chance Of Losing

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is set to defend his title later this summer against Thiago Santos at UFC 239 in Las Vegas. His biggest rival, Daniel Cormier, will put his heavyweight belt on the line a month later vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 241.

Does that mean we could be primed for a year-ending third bout between Jones and Cormier?

"(Cormier) says (he's returning to light heavyweight), but there's no way he's coming back," said Jones during a recent interview with BT Sport. "To commit your life to lose that type of weight and to come up short again would be devastating. It would take an incredible amount of courage."

Jones and Cormier have fought twice before, with "Bones" earning victories both times. However, after earning a decision win in the first meeting, the second – which Jones won via knockout – was changed to a no-contest due ot a failed drug test.

Asked about meeting "DC" at heavyweight instead of 205 pounds, Jones thinks that could be his toughest challenge to date.

"Daniel is a special athlete and everyone can be beat," he said. "I think my greatest chance of losing would be to a guy like Daniel, giving him power and strength over me."