Daniel Cormier is the Real Champion at 205

Heading into UFC 192 we all had a similar thought. That thought went something like this: After the event was over, and we knew who the winner of the light heavyweight title tilt between Daniel Cormier and Alexander Gustafsson was, we’d know who the real light heavyweight champion is. And, with a devilish smile in the back of our minds, we knew it wouldn’t be Cormier or Gustafsson.

You see, I for one, and thousands of others, thought that no matter how great of a battle the two main event fighters put on at UFC 192, or how amazing the finish was, you could not justifiably call the winner the legitimate light heavyweight champion. How could you when neither man beat the real champion? You know, the man who was suspended after committing a felony crime.

On an honest and ethical level Jon Jones is no champion. He may be the best, or at least left as the best, but is no true champion. He lost that title the day he crashed his vehicle into a pregnant woman’s vehicle breaking her arm, left the scene, then return to retrieve a wad of cash among other things, and left the scene again. His ego grew and the spotlight got into his head. The perception he was untouchable in the cage lead him to live as though he was untouchable everywhere else.

Yet, fans and media alike pointed out that no light heavyweight could ever be the true champion without taking the belt from Mr. Jones. To be the champion you have to beat the champion. For the most part, I agree with that notion, but, in this case, it’s time to set this notion aside.

When the main event was over, and both Cormier and Gustafsson stood in the middle of the octagon awaiting the final verdict, you could see the pain and agony in their faces and bodily gestures. They had just been through an arduous war. It was gritty, tactical, and dirty all in one bunch. They stood there hoping their hand would be raised. And, when Cormier was declared the victor he was elated but exhausted and beaten, while, Gustafsson was clearly defeated and broken again after losing his second bid at UFC gold.

These two fighters had survived grueling training camps, undoubted. Then, they stepped into the octagon and gave one another one of the worse beatings of their lives. They both used strategy and finesse, but gutted it out when the tables were turned. It was a grueling and vicious 25-minutes of hand-to-hand combat and at the end it was clear the winner would be the true light heavyweight champion. He wouldn’t be a paper champion as pre-conceived.

No, it was clear in that moment that Cormier had earned the right to be the undisputed champion of the division. Both fighters transcended the definition of a champion’s heart. They didn’t let the sport down or the fans. They knew when to work strategically and when to use grit and determination and it made for an epic fight, one of the best in the division’s history. Both men fought through adversity throughout the 25-minutes and never turned it down a notch.

By the time Joe Rogan was through with his interviews I knew Jon Jones should have been opposite of one of those two that night. But he wasn’t. Jones let himself down, he let down his fans, and he let down the sport. In that moment, Jones was no longer the champion and no longer needed to be beat by whomever to lose his title. Jon Jones gave his title away months earlier and it is not Daniel Cormier’s fault he took it and made it his title.

Jones might be coming back soon; in fact, a rematch with Cormier may be next. But, until then, Cormier is the light heavyweight champion. Don’t get me wrong, Jones is the best. I’m not saying he lost his title as the best light heavyweight, by no means. He just is not the champion anymore and until he comes back it is time to remove that shadow over the belt.

There is no need to diminish a fighter’s accomplishment because another fighter has created a peculiar situation as far as the championship belt goes. Cormier got through two tough opponents, and, as long Jones is out, he’ll likely hold on to that title for sometime. But, for now, Jon Jones is not the champion and Daniel Cormier is.