Cormier (left) apologized to Johnson (right) (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC)
Daniel Cormier Backtracked after harshly criticizing the former challenger's behavior Anthony Johnson. The light heavyweight champion had complained about a supposed friendship between “Rumble” and his arch-rival Jon Jones, in addition to saying that Johnson was “lax” for retiring and returning shortly afterwards – the fighter's manager declared that he should return to the UFC soon, as a heavyweight. After talking to friends and family, DC apologized to the fighter.
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In an interview with the North American radio program “MMA Junkie Radio”, Cormier said that he could not demand that Johnson have the same idea of “competitiveness” as him and, therefore, he did not condemn the American for having friendship with Jones, which would, in theory, be a future rival to “Rumble”.
“I talked to friends and my family about it. The reality is that I was wrong. I didn't like his action, but why do I expect so much from him? Why do I expect him to not be able to be respectful and still compete at the top level? I regret what I said. Was wrong. And I shouldn't have said he was weak. People look at competition differently and if he wants to be warm and friendly with Jones, so be it. Why would this affect me?” said DC, who also stated that he hopes to see “Rumble” back in the Octagon after an early retirement.
“I've said this before. I hope he comes back because he should be fighting. He's that good. But it was so quick… It seems like he should have thought more before retiring, since he came back so soon. But who am I to choose when someone should retire? I just have a different way of looking at things, I guess”, pondered the light heavyweight champion.
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