Daniel Cormier might not be UFC champ-champ for much longer.

During a Monday appearance on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show,” Cormier said things are “tense” with the UFC because the promotion wants him to relinquish the light heavyweight title in order to make a title-fight rematch between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson in December at UFC 232.

It’s a potential scenario that makes Cormier feel uneasy.

“Everybody knows how I feel about Jon Jones,” Cormier said. “It’s been tense, to say the least, with my interaction with the company if indeed they offer a title fight to him. I have to maintain a sense of professionalism.”

Last month, Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), 31, received just a 15-month suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for his second anti-doping violation, which stems from a positive drug test following his July 2017 knockout win over Cormier (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) that was subsequently overturned. With Jones eligible to return to competition Oct. 28, there was talk of booking Jones vs. Gustafsson 2 at UFC 230 on Nov. 3, but UFC President Dana White put an end to that timing, though the potential pairing is still in play.

Cormier, who blasted USADA for the significant reduction thanks to a “snitching” clause, initially dismissed the idea of a trilogy fight with Jones because of Jones’ checkered history of failing drug tests on two of three occasions they’ve been booked. On Monday, though, Cormier expressed a change of heart.

“I said I would be willing to fight, but it just can’t happen right now,” said Cormier, who also holds the UFC heavyweight title. He added that a hand injury will prevent him from fighting until January.

That’s why stripping Cormier of his 205-pound belt is being discussed.

Gallery Jon Jones def. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165: Best photos view 12 images

Jones and Gustafsson put on perhaps the greatest light heavyweight fight in UFC history in September 2013, when Jones earned a decision to retain his title. Gustafsson has demanded a rematch ever since, but it’s never come to fruition because of varying circumstances.

Cormier, who’s twice lost to Jones, holds a split-decision win over Gustafsson from October 2015 at UFC 192. If he’s stripped of the 205-pound title, Cormier said he’s already asked the UFC to give him the first shot at the winner of Jones-Gustafsson 2.

If that’s against Jones, Cormier welcomes it.

“I can’t turn this off,” Cormier said. “It’s my desire to fight and compete against the best of the world. No matter how much I disrespect him, he’s a phenomenal talent. But at the end of the day, he’s a cheater. …

“I want to compete against him again”

Cormier still plans on defending his heavyweight belt against Brock Lesnar in January, preferably early in the month, he said. If that happens, Cormier figures he could turn around and fight once more in March and still retire according to his previously mentioned timeline.

For more on UFC 232, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.