UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones may have threatened to 'literally kill' top contender Daniel Cormier, but that can apparently all be over with at UFC 182.

"I think a lot of times when you get a fight that's personal it motivates the athletes," Jones told UFC.com. "No one wants to lose to someone you don't like."

Jones and Cormier have gone back and forth either directly or via the media for months ahead of their bout on Jan. 3, but Jones insists the war of words will be settled following another successful title defense.

"I'm sure when I beat him he won't like me too much," Jones said of Cormier. "I could see me and Daniel having a respectful relationship after the bout. Our problems ... they really aren't that personal. They're actually kind of silly. After you fight a guy you definitely develop a certain amount of respect for him and bond with him. So yea, I could see us not having problems after this fight."

As far as the fight itself, Jones doesn't sound intimidated by Cormier's impressive credentials, least of all his undefeated 15-0 record.

"It's hard to say how the fight's going to go," said Jones. "I'm predicting that the fight will be extremely entertaining and I believe that I'll come out on top.

"Ultimately records are for DJ's and technically I'm undefeated, as well, so I don't really worry about him being undefeated. It's really about who competes better at that moment."

Jones faces Cormier Jan. 3 in the main event at UFC 182 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

'I'm more than capable of taking him down.' Jon Jones says he won't think twice about wrestling with Daniel Cormier at UFC 182.

Black Monday. Awful news yesterday as former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz revealed another ACL injury while top contender Raphael Assuncao has suffered a broken ankle.

Monday Morning Analyst. Luke Thomas breaks down the techniques from UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway and the annual Grapple at the Garden event.

MMA awards. See the nominees and cast your votes for 2014's World MMA Awards.

Rampage. Bellator president Scott Coker says he won't be commenting much on Quinton Jackson's recent signing with the UFC because 'it's going to be in the [legal] process.'

MEDIA STEW

Free Fight: Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin.

WHOA TV's 2014 mixtape.

Great short on American Top Team founder Ricardo Liborio teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to his blind daughter.

Fighter submits his opponent then saves his life after he starts choking.

(via Deadspin)

Robin Black breaks down Lyoto Machida's liver kick KO.

Six minutes of soccer kick KO's from ONE FC.

(via r/MMA)

UFC fighters read 'Twas the night before Christmas.'

Long watches.

Submission Radio 21/12/14 Bas Rutten & Gene Lebell + UFC Fight Night Brazil

TWEETS

Brutal.

It is with great sadness to report I have experienced another ACL injury. This time it's in the right knee,... http://t.co/yazUaD2ZpV — Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) December 22, 2014

Maybe time to rethink careers? Or too early? Poor guy can't catch a damn break — Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) December 22, 2014

The Dominick Cruz injury is terrible news but he has a lot of practice being tough & coming back stronger. @TheDomin8r WILL be back! — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 22, 2014

Dammit. Stupid injury bug. I blame North Korea. — Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) December 22, 2014

Gutted for Cruz. When things like this happen and your body gives out when the mind is willing that's got to be soul destroying. Rest well — Andy Ogle (@thelittleaxe) December 22, 2014

Truly feel bad for @TheDomin8r that sucks man what terrible luck rest up man. — Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) December 22, 2014

Fuck no way has cruz done his knee again!!! — STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) December 22, 2014

@TheDomin8r enjoy your holidays bro, recover well!! See ya soon and take care G — Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) December 22, 2014

I really feel for @thedomin8er after his layoff due to injury, then an amazing return, he's injured his other kn... http://t.co/d6LRrBH159 — michael (@bisping) December 23, 2014

Less love for Assuncao.

I am devastated 2 inform that my title shot hopes will be even further delayed due 2 broken ankle suffered in training I am sorry once again — Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) December 22, 2014

Guys excuse my misspelling !!! " due 2 (to) A (one) broken ankle NOT TWO my title hopes are a bit afar than what I anticipated . — Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) December 22, 2014

Soon.

Never been better. One way or another, I'm finishing this fight #Goals http://t.co/aIbatKJIEX — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 23, 2014

Get well soon.

4 pics of my healing eye. Week 1,2,3 &4 80% healed now I will be 100% in 1 more week. Having an... http://t.co/zAeypTcCxZ — Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) December 23, 2014

Post op. Surgery was a success. Ready for my nurse/waitress/milf Vanessa to get home to take care of me pic.twitter.com/gYSpmzSLFy — Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) December 22, 2014

Let's just say this is exactly how I feel right now! ACL surgery is no joke! Oh and I also... http://t.co/gCEBPuCpaB pic.twitter.com/tQKE6VeuDh — heatherjoclark (@heatherjoclark) December 22, 2014

Good stuff.

From my family to yours... reebok and I want to help someone have a great Christmas. If you know of a... http://t.co/uosrwb42Ba — Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 23, 2014

Adopted a Family of 5 for Xmas and spent less than I did on my ex last year Moral of the story... http://t.co/opBtBztp1c — Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) December 22, 2014

Trollin'.

.@BeerSlayer863 ur a moron — Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) December 22, 2014

"@2Alexandrecosta: @ChrisWeidmanUFC takes advantage of his last moments with the belt because it will back to Brazil."I know, I'm screwed. — Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 22, 2014

Whatever it takes.

Hmmm.

I'm honored to be part of @MMAWorldSeries thank you for everything — Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) December 22, 2014

I'm honored to be part of @MMAWorldSeries the fighters are treated like gold here — Marlon Moraes (@MMARLONMORAES) December 22, 2014

"@InMyMMAOpinion: Why do those WSOF fighter tweets have a hostage feel to them." Lol first thing I thought — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 23, 2014

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Dec. 22 2014)

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sean Strickland at UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Teixeira

Ivan Jorge vs. Josh Shockley at UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Teixeira

Wendell Oliveira vs. T.J. Waldburger at UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Teixeira

Brian Cobb vs. Johnny Nunez at WSOF 17

Krasimir Mladenov vs. Jesse Taylor at WSOF 17

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Clone Of Moth Yup.

Dana White, The 'Smiley' and The UFC Empire.

Dana White's recent ‘smiley' tweet is the kind of obnoxious behaviour that has come to make most long term MMA fans blood boil. It is an emoticon that is all so familiar, appearing after Ortiz's withdrawal from his bout with new (allegedly) UFC recruit Quinton Jackson at Bellator 106. Set to launch their inaugural PPV, Tito's injury led the fight to be scrapped, and the show moved to spike. A change of plan that likely and ironically, given White's recent courting, cost Rampage a bag of money through PPV points. Bellator's first move in the PPV sphere failed, and the UFC president was delighted, and he had every reason to be but deference goes a long way. (One would only have to take a glance at the popularity of Scott Coker). Instead Dana has always reinforced the narrative that it is the UFC against the world, and for those who think I lie, take a look at the photographs in the recent lawsuit document. ...

Check out the rest of the post here.

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