Jon Jones Threatens Daniel Cormier Via Direct Message On Twitter Despite Not Following Him

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File this one under ‘too hilarious not to be true.’

The psychological warfare that takes place prior to actual fights, is one of the best parts of mixed martial arts and a recent exchange between light heavyweight champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones and newly-announced replacement challenge Daniel Cormier takes that concept to a whole new level.

After he was announced as Jones’ new opponent at UFC 178 (after Alexander Gustafsson was forced to pull out due to injury), the gamesmanship started almost immediately according to Cormier who appeared on UFC Tonight to talk about the fight for the first time since it was announced.

The former Strikeforce tourney winner said that Jones left him some choice words via Twitter direct message.

“Let me tell you a little something on Jon Jones,” Cormier said. “He’s a ninja on a number of levels. I don’t follow Jon Jones on Twitter, but somehow he was able to send me a direct message … The direct message said ‘I hope you’re ready to come to daddy.'”

Cormier said he couldn’t help but respond and posted an Instagram photo of his reply (which apparently was not sent since Jones doesn’t follow him).

The Oklahoma State grad said that he only found out that he would be replacing Gustafsson at 6:45 AM PST on Wednesday morning.

Cormier said he got a text message from UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta at 6:45 AM West Coast time, was offered the fight when he returned the call, and accepted after consulting with his coaches.

“There’s always going to be hesitation,” Cormier said. “When you get a title fight you want to get three months to prepare, but if my coaches came to me and told me you have to beat Jon Jones in five weeks I would do it.”

So what do you think? Was the Twitter exchange real, or just pre-fight hype by both?