Jon Jones picks rival Daniel Cormier to win UFC 206 headliner in Toronto

THE battle between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson for the undisputed UFC light-heavyweight title at UFC 206 will have one particularly interested spectator.

Former undisputed champ Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is still considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but his issues away from the Octagon have seen him ruled out of action for extended periods in recent months.

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His involvement in a hit-and-run incident in Albuquerque attracted intense media interest as Jones was slapped with 18 months’ probation and 120 hours’ community service.

And after claiming the interim title on his return against Ovince St-Preux at UFC 197, ‘Bones’ was all set to face his old adversary at UFC 200.

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Victorious return: But Jon Jones’ win over Ovince St-Preux at UFC 197 was overshadowed by a failed drug test ahead of UFC 200[/caption]

But a failed drug test – which Jones’ team is currently contesting – saw him kicked off the fight card.

Cormier defeated UFC legend Anderson Silva at that event, and is all set to face ‘Rumble’ Johnson in Toronto in a rematch of the bout that saw ‘DC’ crowned UFC champion.

Per Haljestam

And, despite his heated rivalry with Cormier, Jones has picked his old rival to prevail once again on December 10.

“If I had to bet I would go with DC,” he explained in a Twitter post.

“His game is more complete.”

But despite his pre-fight pick, Jones admitted he’d prefer to see Johnson take the win to set up the fight he and ‘Rumble’ were supposed to have back at UFC 187, before his run-in with the law saw him sidelined and stripped of his title.

“I would much rather fight Rumble for the title,” he tweeted.

“That way I could clear the division and get my belt back all at once.”

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Cormier and Johnson will do battle in the main event of UFC 206 in Toronto, Canada on Saturday December 10.