Seemingly out of nowhere, a feud between two former opponents in Daniel Cormier and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has taken off.
D.C. beat “Rumble” Johnson both times the two faced off.
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is back in the news this week after it was made public of his intentions to return to the UFC as a heavyweight.
The UFC champion had some harsh words on the topic, and the feud has been escalating ever since.
Here’s the run down:
Taking to his own podcast, the champ stated, “I feel like if he was going to retire maybe he should have stayed retired a little bit longer. Because when you do that, you come back this quick, it just kind of feels like ‘oh you were mad because you lost, so you just quit’. Right? It’s not even a six month retirement. So it feels kind of like you were mad because you lost, and you kind of just quit. So I walk into the back of the weigh-ins for UFC 214, and there’s Rumble. And I go up to Rumble and he says ‘what’s up DC? You look good.’ Give him a hug, and I say ‘hey man, I hope you’re enjoying your retirement. You seem happy. I wish you nothing but continued success’, and I go about my business — as much as you’d expect two guys who have competed and have respect for each other would interact.
“Then in walks Jon jones, and I expect him to — a guy he was supposed to fight, and may at some point still fight — give him the same type of conversation and kind of keep it moving as a man. But Jon walks in, they give each other the shake and the hug, and they talk a little bit. And the conversation seems like Anthony is almost giving him advice … like pre-fight stuff.”
“I guess Jon’s putting on his shoes or something, and then Rumble walks up to him again. But now they’re hugging. Legitimately hugging! Rumble’s leaning over while Jon’s tying his shoes, and Rumble’s leaning over and giving him advice. What the fuck kind of advice are you giving him? Fucking what the fuck? Why are you so friendly? This is a guy that at some point you may have to fight. You’re his friend now? Why the fuck are you his friend? Are you just hoping that he wins because I beat you? What the fuck are you doing?
“Rumble and I have no more relationship. What the fuck are you so friendly with a guy in your weight class for? Fuck that. The competitor in you shouldn’t allow you to be that nice to that guy.
“In my mind, that dude is fucking soft. Rumble Johnson and I have always been respectful with each other. But something happened at UFC 214 that has forever made me change the way I’m going to interact with Anthony Johnson.”
Then, about an hour removed from this composition, “Rumble” replied to D.C. with a harsh comeback of his own.
Taking to his facebook for the former title challenger stated, “Damn D.C. didn’t know you were salty cuz I talk to the 1 guy that knocked you out. Fucking soft is what you called me, oh well that’s your opinion. Saying I gave Jon advice lol buddy what advice is there to give him? I wasn’t fighting either one of you, so there’s no point of giving advice. That’s not my style! I believe in fair fights period.
Friend’s? We were NEVER friend’s! I’ve respected every man in the sport no matter what. I’ve shown JBJ respect through his tough times and have shown you respect the same way.
I retired cuz I have other thing’s in life I want to do but just cuz I met with UFC and talked you have an issue.
So take your cry baby ass on and praise God that Jon screwed up and you got the belt back that way!”
Now, the UFC light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has read “Rumbles” words and taken to his verified twitter account to respond.
In a short, yet highly-aggresive message, D.C. stated,
“@Anthony_Rumble say it to my face!”
@Anthony_Rumble say it to my face! https://t.co/nZFaiR6O69
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 5, 2017
Thoughts?