Daniel Cormier has questioned whether Jon Jones is the right coach for former WWE star Gable Steveson.
Daniel Cormier has expressed concerns that Jon Jones might not be the best fit to coach Gable Steveson, suggesting the UFC star’s approach could limit the Olympic gold medalist’s potential.
Cormier, who spent time alongside Jones coaching on the Russian MMA reality series ALF Reality 3, reflected on how their experiences shaped his view.
Daniel Cormier questions Jon Jones’s ability to coach without ego
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Daniel Cormier questioned whether Jon Jones has the selflessness required to help Gable Steveson fully develop as an MMA fighter.
The pair worked with young fighters in Thailand earlier this year, and while Cormier noted that Jones has changed since his fighting days, he still raised doubts about Jones’s ability to set his own interests aside for his athletes.
“In order to be a great coach, you cannot have an ego. You have to become secondary to everyone that you coach. And Jon, he’s still active and on the roster, and I don’t know if he can be as giving and selfless to make Gable the true star of the show.”
Steveson, 25, made the switch from professional wrestling to MMA after a standout collegiate and Olympic career.
He has been training with Jones ahead of a potential debut later this year, with rumours connecting him to Dana White’s Contender Series.
Daniel Cormier compares Jon Jones to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s selfless approach
Daniel Cormier also drew a comparison between Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov, highlighting the differences in their coaching styles.
Cormier pointed out that Khabib often spends long periods away from his family to ensure his fighters are ready, something he isn’t sure Jones is willing to do.
“You know what makes Khabib a great coach? He’s the most selfless person you’ve ever met,” Cormier said. “He puts his athletes above himself in everything that he does. I just don’t know if that’s Jon.”
Their coaching roles on ALF Reality 3 have reignited their rivalry in a new context, and for now, Cormier believes that unless Jones adopts a more selfless approach, Steveson’s development as a heavyweight prospect might be slowed.
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