UFC news: Daniel Cormier gives Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson prediction

Jones and Gustafsson fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 29, in a rematch of their 2013 fight-of-the-year.

‘Bones’ Jones is the only man to have beaten Daniel Cormier, who holds the UFC light-heavyweight and heavyweight titles.

His title will be stripped ahead of UFC 232.

“Initially, I was very disappointed they were going to give [Jones] the title fight because I really didn’t do anything wrong to get stripped,” he told FloCombat.

“But I understand the organization has to move forward.

“The reality is I was OK with the decision a little bit more due to the fact that whoever wins the fight, if I decide to go back to 205 [pounds], I’m guaranteed the title fight.”

Jones defeated Cormier twice, the first at UFC 182 back in 2015, and the second in July 2017 at UFC 214.

The second fight was then turned to a no-contest due to Jones’ subsequent positive drugs test.

Gustafsson faced Cormier in October 2015 for the vacant belt after Jones was stripped the first time.

Cormier came out victorious in a split decision.

‘DC’ believes that, having faced both men, Jones will come out on top at UFC 232.

“I think that Jones wins the fight,” he said.

“I think Gustafsson is a fantastic fighter.”

Jones’ fight with Gustafsson is recognised as one of the best fights in the history of the sport.

A heavy favourite going in, Jones was cut in the first round, and battled back to win on the cards.

The fight was labelled as the fight of the year, the greatest in the division’s history, and one of the best of all time.

Cormier believes that the fight was close due to Jones’ attitude going in.

“I just believe that he caught him on a night when it was like this fight for me with Derrick Lewis,” he said.

“Nobody gave Alexander a chance, and I think Jon took that mindset into the fight, too, and that’s why the fight was so close.

“I shared the octagon with both, and I think Jones is just a better fighter, I’ve got to be honest with you.”