Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier are adding a new chapter to their heated rivalry, but it’s not happening in the UFC. Instead, the two are traveling to Thailand to coach against each other on Russian TUF clone Alf Reality.
How is this happening on an Ultimate Fighter clone and not a new Paramount+ or CBS season of The Ultimate Fighter? Alf Reality (formerly Hype Reality) shows you what could be if the UFC actually cracked open their wallet once in a while. So far they’ve had Khamzat Chimaev vs. Arman
Tsarukyan, Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling, Jon Jones vs. Nate Diaz (until Nate stormed off and was replaced by Jorge Masvidal), and now Jones returning against Cormier.
Jones and Cormier have both coached The Ultimate Fighter over the years, but never against each other. Cormier coached opposite Stipe Miocic in 2018, and they both coached against Chael Sonnen, with “Bones” doing 2013 and “DC” on the latest season in 2025.
Jones and Cormier have fought twice but were booked to fight five times, with Jones injuries and drug failures being responsible for two of those cancellations. Even Jon’s second win over Daniel is a No Contest due to a positive test for turinabol. It’s a messy legacy, made messier by the fact that the two men don’t like each other … but that could change on the set of Alf Reality, according to Jones.
“I think it would be great to have Daniel Cormier a part of this show,” Jones said in a clip from MMA Uncensored. “Obviously him and I have a rough history. I know he doesn’t like me very much, me beating him twice. But I think him coming out here to Thailand and filming with me would be a great opportunity for us to mend this jacked up relationship.”
“I have no problems with him,” Jones added. “I think, if anything, him coming out here would give us both an opportunity to maybe start a friendship.”
Jones may say he has no problem with Cormier, but rarely does a year go by without “Bones” throwing at least one or two shots DC’s way. Cormier is more honest when Jones comes up: conversations involving his rival usually begin with an eye roll. And these days, the former double champ has been suggesting another match of some sort could come together.
“Real American Freestyle is going to see me and Jon Jones at some point,” Cormier said recently. “And I’m going to kick his ass like you would never believe.”
Cormier doesn’t seem interested in friendship, and you know the Alf Reality producers aren’t interested in filming a friendship. We’re going to bet on no friendship coming out of this, but it will be interesting to watch and see exactly what happens. Full episodes of Alf Reality can be watched on the Alf Global YouTube channel.
