Jones, Cormier brawl in MGM Grand lobby
Undefeated Ultimate Fighting Championship star Daniel Cormier told a small group of reporters during Monday’s media event at MGM Grand to promote his Sept. 27 title fight that he and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones would never be friends.
The events about 20 minutes later sealed that prophecy.
A staredown for photographers between the two fighters quickly escalated into a brawl in the lobby of the Strip resort.
Jones planted his forehead on Cormier’s forehead as the two approached one another onstage, prompting Cormier to shove the champion.
UFC director of public relations Dave Sholler, filling in for a vacationing Dana White, attempted to step in between the agitated fighters, who will fight for real in the main event of UFC 178 in the same venue.
His efforts proved futile.
Jones shoved Sholler aside and came up empty on a left hook aimed at Cormier. As Sholler fell through the backdrop and into the marble structure behind the temporary stage, Jones shot forward and threw another punch at Cormier.
Security and UFC personnel rushed in and tried to separate the fighters, but the entire group fell backward off the stage. Jones ended up on top of Cormier in a group of about six men and started dropping left hands as the others frantically tried to pull Jones off the pile.
Jones’ manager Malki Kawa was accused on social media of throwing a punch at Cormier in the fracas, but a close examination of the video appears to show Kawa reaching down to try to restrain Cormier’s arms and pull him out of the pile.
As Kawa pulled Cormier away, Cormier tried to throw a kick. Security quickly escorted him away from the lobby, but Cormier turned and fired his shoe back toward the site of the melee. The shoe missed its mark and instead hit a female member of the media. She said she did not suffer an injury.
“Fortunately no one, including the fighters and fans, were injured at today’s event,” a UFC official told the Review-Journal. “Today’s proceedings were uncharacteristic of both fighters.”
Jones paced for a few moments before returning to the stage and triumphantly yelling to the crowd that was gathered in the lobby.
Both fighters quickly took to Twitter after the incident died down.
“Come on DC, where was your takedown defense? I put you on your back in six seconds,” Jones posted. “Put some ice on that face DC, you got lots of interviews tomorrow.”
The two are scheduled to participate in a media session in Los Angeles today. UFC officials said that event would go on as planned, though it is unclear whether there will be another staredown.
Jones wasn’t finished.
“Lol those baby punches from the bottom, I really hope you have more prepared than that for when I take you down again,” Jones posted.
Cormier blamed Jones on the social media site for triggering the incident by touching foreheads.
“ever put ur dirty face on me again. u hit like a bitch. Better be kicking because I will eat ur punches all day. Ur a punk. I can’t wait to beat u up. My goodness,” Cormier posted. “I won’t let another man get in my face and put his forehead against mine. I will react every time. @JonnyBones next time I will slap you.”
Cormier, a two-time Olympian, accepted this fight as a replacement for an injured Alexander Gustafsson.
Before the brawl, he said the animosity between him and Jones dates back to a meeting at the weigh-ins for UFC 121 in October 2010. Cormier was not yet in the UFC and he said Jones treated him dismissively when they met for the first time.
UFC president Dana White was on a flight to Bora Bora when the brawl happened. He heard the news upon landing and sarcastically tweeted that it was a “perfect” start to his vacation.
Representatives for the Nevada Athletic Commission had no comment. They have asked the UFC for a copy of the video in order to investigate the incident. Commission officials said they will explore their options in terms of disciplinary action.
Kirk Hendrick, the UFC’s chief legal officer, said the UFC will cooperate fully with the NAC’s process.
“This is certainly not a proud moment for the UFC organization. We expect more from our athletes, especially these two gentlemen, who are very well-trained and highly educated professionals. Their actions were clearly a violation of the UFC’s code of conduct,” Hendrick said. “We are going to reserve our right to penalize both fighters after the commission has made a decision. We expect more from our athletes and we are prepared to levy sanctions to reinforce the appropriate behavior.
“There are going to be ramifications. Whether you’re the champion, or this is your first fight in the UFC, there are going to be ramifications from the UFC for these actions.”
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.
