Jimi Manuwa Doesn’t Think Daniel Cormier Will Beat Jon Jones

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Jimi Manuwa said that he doesn’t think UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will be able to beat Jon Jones at UFC 214. Manuwa will be on the same card in a fight with Volkan Oezdemir. Here are highlights:

On a possible fight with Cormier: “I didn’t see anything that was like, ‘wow,’ or anything. He’s just a fat wrestler, that’s it. He can’t stand with me, you know what I mean? All he’s got is his wrestling, and all he’s going to try and do is take me down if I fight him. That’s it. He’s very good at it, but that’s all he’s got. If we fight, all I would have to work on is takedown defense, and I’ll knock him out within two rounds.”

On being ready to main event if Cormier vs. Jones doesn’t happen: “If Jones pulls out or DC pulls out, I’m going to main event and save the card. I’m preparing for a fight. I’m preparing stand-up, wrestling, judo, everything; I’m just prepared to fight. It doesn’t matter who I’m fighting, whether it’s Daniel Cormier, Jones or Volkan, I’m prepared to fight. I’m doing my runs, I’m doing my cardio, I’m doing my striking, I’m doing my wresting and everything in order to win the fight. If it’s DC, I just have to do a little bit of more wrestling. If it’s Jones, I’ll do some wrestling and a little bit more striking. If it’s Volkan, I have to do a little bit more striking and takedown defense and sharpen up everything. So that’s what were doing, sharpening up everything and getting ready for victory.”

On if Cormier could beat Jones: “I think Jones beats him again. I don’t mind who I fight, both are great fighters, but I think Jones got his number. I don’t think there’s nothing Daniel can do on Jones. I think if he [Cormier] takes him down, he can’t keep him down, and he can’t beat him in the striking department. So I don’t think he’s got anything for Jones, I think Jones beats him in the title fight on July 29th.”