Daniel Cormier, the former UFC double champion and two-time Olympic wrestler, has revealed that Jon Jones reportedly declined a seven-figure financial offer for a high-stakes wrestling match. Cormier claims the current UFC heavyweight champion is avoiding the bout specifically to escape a points-based defeat under pure wrestling rules.
Detailed negotiations involving Alfredo Auditore, the head of ALF Global, suggest that while a massive payday was on the table, the long-standing rivals remain at a stalemate over the technical format of the contest.
The proposed matchup would have taken place in Russia under the Professional Wrestling League (PWL) banner. Despite the seven-figure sumâwhich Cormier, now 47, describes as an “all day” incentiveâthe former Olympian believes Jones “knows” he would lose a points-driven encounter.
“I know as a fact I will beat him 10-0,” Cormier stated on social media, insisting that his Olympic pedigree would dominate a pure wrestling environment where MMA clinches and striking are absent.
This news adds a fresh chapter to one of the most intense rivalries in mixed martial arts history. While fans often debate the impact of past icons like Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano on the modern era, the tension between Jones and Cormier remains uniquely personal.
Jones previously defeated Cormier at UFC 182, while their 2017 rematch was overturned to a no-contest after Jones failed a drug test.
Russian promoters offer seven figures for wrestling exhibition
The financial incentive for this bout reportedly came from “Russian guys” associated with the PWL. Cormier also mentioned an offer from Real American Freestyle (RAF), which he described as “big money,” though it did not match the scale of the seven-figure Russian proposition.
Alfredo Auditore recently used Instagram to signal that a wrestling match was “almost finalized,” yet the deal has stalled as the competitors disagree on the ruleset.
According to Cormier, the primary hurdle is Jones’ alleged refusal to agree to traditional wrestling rules with scoring. Cormier reports that Jonesâ camp is pushing for grappling or submission-only rules without points.
This technical distinction is crucial; Cormier argues that a points system would expose Jones, whereas a submission-only format would allow the active UFC champion to protect his image by avoiding a definitive 10-0 scorecard loss.
The rivalry is as much about pride as it is about profit. This dynamic mirrors other high-stakes situations in sport where veterans must weigh risk against reward, much like when Mohamed Salah faces a career-defining choice regarding his team future.
For Cormier, the wrestling mat represents the ultimate high groundâa place where his lifetime of technical training cannot be undone by the chaos of a full MMA fight.
Cormier predicts a shutout based on his Olympic pedigree
Daniel Cormier is adamant that his age would not be a factor in a pure wrestling match against “Bones.” He insists that as a two-time Olympian, the muscle memory required for freestyle wrestling remains intact.
“I didn’t just forget how to wrestle,” Cormier noted, emphasizing that the 10-0 scoreline he predicts would be the outcome “every single time” they stepped onto a mat without the threat of knockout blows.
The stalemate over rules reflects the stylistic clash between the two men. While Jones is a decorated collegiate wrestler, he has historically preferred to utilize his full MMA arsenal to defeat Cormier.
In 2016, Jones explicitly stated he had no desire to grapple Cormier outside the Octagon, as he preferred to “kick his ass” with hands and feet rather than offer his rival any “false sense of security.”
Reports also suggest that medical concerns may be playing a role in the hesitation. Jon Jones has reportedly cited severe arthritis as a reason to avoid certain grappling engagements. However, Cormier remains skeptical of these reasons, suggesting that Jonesâ ego and the desire to maintain his undefeated aura are the true barriers to the match finally taking place in the PWL circle.
Stalling negotiations follow ALF Reality coaching stint
The two recently spent significant time together as opposing coaches on the latest season of ALF Reality, which is known as the Russian version of âThe Ultimate Fighter.â During the filming of the show, the friction between the pair was palpable.
Cormier even challenged Jones to a live wrestling match on the set for $50,000 of his own cash, a proposal that Jones reportedly laughed off at the time.
Despite the recent surge in interest, the window for this exhibition may be narrow. Every month that passes makes the physical demands more taxing for the 47-year-old Cormier. While the seven-figure offer from Russia makes it one of the most lucrative potential matches in wrestling history, the fundamental disagreement over whether to use points or submissions remains the “stipulation” that could kill the deal.
As the “Russian version” of the legendary UFC reality show winds down, the focus of the MMA world remains split between active contenders and these legendary grudge matches. For Daniel Cormier, the simple fact that Jones has reportedly turned down millions to face him on the mat is a moral victory.
It suggests that even the man considered by many to be the greatest of all time acknowledges Cormier’s edge in a pure wrestling environment.
