Cormier says he dreams of fighting Jones in New York

DC (right) and Jones (left) faced each other for the first time in January this year. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

After hitting Alexander Gustafson by split decision from the judges on October 3rd, the light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has only one thing on his mind: getting his long-awaited rematch against Jon Jones, the only athlete to win it to date. Cormier's plans are ambitious, and he revealed that he plans to face Jones in the Octagon's debut in New York, but accepts another big event, UFC 200, as an alternative.

See too

Video: Watch the best moments of the fight between Daniel Cormier x Alexander Gustafsson

Back at the gym, Jon Jones appears lifting almost 250 kg in training

Ronda confirms her relationship with UFC heavyweight: 'We're getting to know each other'

“New York will happen in April. Let's do this (the rematch)! If not on that date, we can do it at UFC 200, I want to do this fight soon. If I get defeated a second time, I'll probably stop. My career and legacy in this sport means more than collecting a few checks. I will fight until I no longer feel competitive. If I'm no longer competitive and winning at the level I've been doing, I'll retire. Legacy is important to me and I want to leave a good one in MMA,” said Cormier, in an interview with Ultimate commentators Jon Anik and Kenny Florian.

Remembering the defeat to Jones, suffered in January this year, DC believes he has the necessary conditions to beat the former champion in a possible reunion in the octagon. “I've been saying for a while that Jones is the guy who can really compete with me in my division. Obviously, because he already beat me. I think I'm good, if not better than everyone else. I feel like I'm good enough to beat Jones. I want to be remembered as the best in the world and to do that I have to defeat the best guy in the world”, he assured.

At 36, Daniel Cormier has a professional record of 17 wins and one loss in MMA. After being defeated by Jon Jones in January, Cormier turned things around months later and won the light heavyweight belt, beating Anthony Johnson, after taking Jones' place, cut from the duel and suspended by Ultimate.

Although already announced, the Octagon's debut in New York City is not yet official, as the state remains the only one in the United States to maintain a ban on MMA. Faced with yet another vote in the state legislature on the legalization of the sport, the UFC decided to schedule an event for April next year, at the historic Madison Square Garden, promising to take its biggest stars to the historic card.

Poatan in danger? Veteran calls for 'war' and believes in victory against Brazilian in UFC