It’s been a four-year wait for Daniel Cormier, but he has finally earned the 205-pound title belt by flooring down Anthony Johnson. As a result, ‘DC’ has acquired fame from everywhere, including the three trainers of former champion Jon Jones.
Jones’ coaches Jackson, Winkeljohn and Gibson along with other teammates were sitting together in Las Vegas to watch the fight of the night between Cormier and Johnson. The DC put his foe down for the vacant title in the third-round submission victory at UFC 187. It was the first time in four years after Jones that Cormier scored the 205-pound title shot.
In a post-fight interview, Jones’ coaches stated:
“It was surreal,” said one of Jones’ striking coaches, Brandon Gibson. “Since Jones’ fight against Johnson was called off, I hadn’t even thought about the Johnson-DC fight. I had work to do with all the other guys”.
All three coaches watched the fight from back stage. For them, it was compelling to witness two fighters they had studied and planned their game to come across each other.
“It hurt a little bit. All of us put a lot of work into that title and we took a lot of pride in it. The camp had such a great night, it was a surreal way for it to end.”
Winkeljohn, one of Jones’ trainer said:
“I know Jon watched the Arlovski fight,” Winkeljohn said. “He helped Andrei get ready for that fight and he was invested in it. He’s been in the gym and he’s been helping guys get ready. He’s been a good teammate.”
When Gibson asked, if Jones watched Cormier and Johnson’s light heavyweight title contest, the trainer said, he is sure that Jones’ saw the fight.
As per Cormier’s post-fight comment directed towards the former champion, he stated:
“Jon Jones, get your s— together. I’m waiting for you,”
Jones’ trainers completely agree, Cormier can rightly name himself the legitimate UFC champion!
