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NEW YORK – Daniel Cormier said he sees right through Derrick Lewis' "facade" and knows his UFC 230 is not serious when saying "DC" is scared of Jon Jones.
UFC 230 open workouts took place today, and Lewis (21-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) was the first to arrive. During his scrum with reporters, "The Black Beast" theorized that the reason Cormier (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is fighting he is because he is "scared" of Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) and does not want to fight him for a third time.
Cormier, the current UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight field, was asked to respond to Lewis' commentary on the situation, and he said there is no way in the future.
"Jon Jones," Cormier told reporters, including MMAjunkie, following his UFC 230 open workout. Jon Jones Nobody told me to fight. I think Derrick has said it, himself, openly that some of the things (he says) you take with a grain of salt, some of the things you believe what he's saying. He's just bull (expletive) on that one. "
UFC 230 takes place Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Cormier vs. Lewis headlines the pay-per-view main card following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Regardless of whether he makes truthful statements or not, Cormier said he holds the utmost respect for his challenger. "DC" said he's done in-depth research on Lewis in the lead-up to their fight, and the fact he's been fighting for a UFC.
Although Cormier is a heavy favorite at UFC 230, and many believe Lewis can not test him, Cormier said he knows what kind of man he is getting into the octagon with and not to underestimate him.
"In learning about Derrick Lewis, it did not make me think, 'This is going to be a easier fight,'" Cormier said. "It's going to be tougher than the general public may believe. Alexander Volkov (at UFC 229) was not the exception – it was his expectation because he has made it to hell with him, and he scraped his way back to he who is today. "
Cormier, 39, might hold Lewis, 33, in high regard on a personal level, but he said that it's not going to change what happens in the cage whatsoever. Cormier has every intention of leaving UFC 230 with his heavyweight belt, and he said Lewis is not going to be prepared for what he has to offer.
"I'm going to try to rip Derrick Lewis apart," Cormier said. There are levels to this fight game. I've said that before. I've got a lot of people going for a long time. "
To hear more from Cormier, check out the video above.
For more on UFC 230, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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