Dana White explains 'strange' look between Jones and Cormier: 'They would lose part of the purse'

Jones (left) and Cormier (right) in a bizarre staring pose. Photo: Reproduction

Surrounded by much expectation due to the enormous rivalry created in recent months, Jon Jones e Daniel Cormier had a strange look at the official UFC 182 weigh-in. While the champion faced the stage, the challenger turned his back, with both fighters avoiding eye contact. The reason for the behavior was explained soon after.

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UFC president, Dana White, revealed that the Nevada Athletic Commission, the entity that sanctions the fight, threatened to suspend the athletes' scholarships if any confusion occurred at the weigh-in. “The Athletic Commission went to them and said if they did anything they would lose part of their scholarship. This made the weigh-in a calmer event. These guys don't like each other and people like that”, said White, in conversation with journalists after the weigh-in, in an excerpt transcribed by the Combate channel website.

Since Daniel Cormier moved down from the heavyweight category to the light heavyweight division, the rivalry with Jon Jones became the main attraction to promote the duel. The fighters, who got into a fight during a promotional event, exchanged spitting, headbutting and even death threats.

Photo gallery from open training for UFC 182:

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