Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier enjoyed one of the great rivalries in MMA history. During a late June appearance on Steve-O’s Wild Ride! podcast, Jones expressed nothing but respect.

I think he’s an outstanding man,” said Jones. “I think he represents himself very well. I think he represents African-Americans very well. He represents the UFC very well. Being a father, being an athlete, he’s very well-spoken, he’s a great commentator. … I respect DC”

MMA Fighting‘s Damon Martin followed up in an interview with Daniel Cormier, to see if he felt the same way too.

The reality is when you’re in the Octagon – this guy I was in the Octagon with over 40 minutes – if you can’t respect a person in that capacity when you’re done with them, then who can you respect? I do respect Jones in terms of what he does as an athlete, what he’s been able to do and all those things. It doesn’t have to be a friendship and it won’t be.

I do respect him as a competitor. I never said I didn’t. That’s where it gets all confused when they talk about this thing between him and I. I never not respected him as a competitor. It was all the other stuff I had a problem with.

I never did that. If you’re an honest guy, which I try to think I am, you tell the truth. You can respect a person for their skills. I do respect those skills.