In nearly three years of back-and-forth verbal sparring with rival Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones perhaps has been rankled most by Cormier’s accusations of steroid use.

“That actually gets to me a little bit, because I think deep down this mother(expletive) knows that I wouldn’t do steroids,” Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) said Monday during a conference call in support of his rematch with Cormier (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) at UFC 214, which takes place Saturday at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and airs live on pay-per-view.

An incredulous Jones added, “C’mon now. C’mon now. You mean to tell me I’m (expletive) smart enough to outsmart (expletive) USADA and (expletive) the Nevada athletic commission for 10 years? I’m a mastermind steroid user that beat all these guys for 10 years? He knows in his heart I didn’t do steroids. This whole thing has become an attack on Jon Jones’ character.”

Cormier has ramped up attacks on Jones one year after the ex-champ failed a drug test and received a one-year suspension for using an estrogen blocker, which was attributed to an over-the-counter sexual enhancement pill. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency stopped short of accusing Jones of knowingly using banned substances but chastised him for negligence in taking the pill in the first place.

In April, Cormier accused Jones of dodging USADA and cheating to gain an advantage when they were scheduled to rematch at UFC 200, a fight canceled by Jones’ positive test. Jones angrily fired back on Twitter.

Most of Cormier’s insults have bounced off Jones, who’s gotten increasingly comfortable with being viewed as the bad guy after so many troubles outside the cage. The accusations about performance enhancers strike a different chord, however.

“This is the first time I’ve been against someone who literally is just fighting to prove I’m the bad guy,” Jones said. “(Expletive) it, I’m the bad guy. I’m not fighting to be the good guy. Listen to his interviews. It’s always the same (expletive). Now, he’s trying to convince the world that I did steroids.”

Cormier stayed away from his previous accusations during the conference call. They still loomed large as the two agreed to ignore each other as reporters asked questions. And they verbally sparred a few times in tense exchanges.

Jones was contrite about the failings that led to him being stripped of the belt this past year and spoke with excitement about the opportunity to redeem himself – without the pressure of having to be the good guy.

The ex-champ said he gets to put critics to rest on Saturday. Chief among them is Cormier, who took the belt in his absence and needs a win to legitimize his reign as champ.

Jones said after his second meeting with his rival, “There will be no excuse for me winning but for my hard work and my faith my and belief.”

For more on UFC 214, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.