Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: 3 Rounds with Dean Thomas - Daniel Cormier on Jon Jones TROLLING, Sean Strickland Fight, Alex Pereira
Release Date: July 10, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, Daniel Cormier engages in a dynamic conversation with Dean Thomas. The discussion delves into pressing topics within the UFC, including Jon Jones' recent activities, the future of Alex Pereira, and the controversies surrounding Sean Strickland.

1. Jon Jones' Potential Return and Trolling Behavior

Jon Jones' Retirement Announcement and Reversal

Daniel Cormier opens the discussion by addressing Jon Jones' recent announcement of retirement, followed by a surprising tweet indicating his return to the USADA testing pool, raising questions about his genuine intentions.

• Dean Thomas' Perspective:
  "[...] this dude just loves attention. He loves attention. He's just trying to keep his name out there."
  (06:08)

Dean expresses frustration with Jones' inconsistent messaging, emphasizing that despite Jones' unparalleled achievements, his behavior is detrimental to the sport.

• Daniel Cormier's Insight:
  "Why are you playing with people's emotions?"
  (06:45)

Cormier criticizes Jones for seemingly toying with fans' expectations, suggesting that such actions shift focus away from active fighters who continuously contribute to the UFC.

Hall of Fame Considerations

The conversation shifts to the legitimacy of Jon Jones' Hall of Fame status, drawing parallels with Barry Bonds' controversial career.

• Dean Thomas on Hall of Fame:
  "He's going into the Hall of Fame. [...] what's he's done inside the Octagon is definitely Hall of Fame worthy."
  (08:12)

While acknowledging Jones' prowess, Dean underscores the importance of separating his on-field success from personal misconduct, advocating for his recognition based solely on athletic achievement.

Final Thoughts on Jones' Future

Both hosts agree that Jon Jones should conclusively decide on his fighting career to prevent ongoing emotional manipulation of fans and stakeholders.

• Daniel Cormier's Conclusion:
  "Make a decision, leave it at that. Don't keep rolling around, playing with our emotions and the fans' emotions."
  (10:06)

2. The Future of Alex Pereira in the UFC

Assessing Alex Pereira's Longevity

Daniel introduces the topic of Alex Pereira, focusing on his age and recent championship loss, questioning whether he can reclaim his former glory.

• Dean Thomas on Pereira's Style and Longevity:
  "He doesn't move his feet a lot, he doesn't wrestle a lot, and he's just got power. So he's not putting a lot of wear and tear on his body."
  (11:13)

Dean believes Pereira's fighting style may mitigate the physical toll typically associated with aging fighters, positioning him as a viable contender despite his 38 years.

Evaluating UFC Divisions

The discussion broadens to assess the competitiveness of various UFC divisions, with Dean labeling light heavyweight, heavyweight, and women's bantamweight as the "worst divisions."

• Dean Thomas on UFC Divisions:
  "Light heavyweight is number three, then heavyweight, and then women's bantamweight."
  (12:13)

He suggests that Pereira, given his unique position in less competitive divisions, still holds significant value and potential for future title defenses.

Concerns Over Pereira's Strike Damage

Daniel raises concerns about how Pereira's extensive kickboxing background hasn't visibly affected his physical condition, especially when compared to other fighters with similar careers.

• Dean Thomas on Pereira's Physical Condition:
  "He looked like he was in his early hundreds. [...] He looked crippled."
  (13:37)

This highlights a perceived discrepancy between Pereira's fighting style and the expected physical repercussions, prompting questions about his long-term viability.

Potential Rematch with Israel Adesanya

The possibility of an immediate rematch between Pereira and Adesanya is explored, with Dean expressing skepticism about Pereira's ability to adapt and overcome previous losses.

• Dean Thomas on Rematch Strategy:
  "He's always one punch away from changing the course of the fight."
  (14:26)

Dean advocates for another opportunity for Pereira, emphasizing his potential to secure victories if given the chance to refine his approach.

3. Sean Strickland's Controversies and Fighting Strategy

Conflict with Dan Henderson

The conversation shifts to Sean Strickland's recent altercations, particularly his dispute with MMA legend Dan Henderson, which has stirred debate within the martial arts community.

• Daniel Cormier on Strickland's Behavior:
  "He's supposed to be the man."
  (20:04)

Dean criticizes Strickland for diverting his focus towards beefing with others rather than concentrating on his career, deeming it a "depressing" trend.

Impact on Strickland's Career

Both hosts discuss the negative implications of Strickland's actions on his reputation and potential standing within the UFC.

• Dean Thomas on Strickland's Priorities:
  "If he put the same amount of energy that he does on fighting YouTubers and having beef with other people... he would be winning."
  (17:48)

Dean emphasizes that Strickland's distractions hinder his ability to compete effectively against top contenders, suggesting a need for strategic realignment.

Final Assessment of Strickland's Standing

Despite acknowledging Strickland's fighting capabilities, Daniel expresses reservations about his recent performances and public demeanor, questioning his readiness to ascend further in the division.

• Daniel Cormier's Conclusion:
  "I think Sean Strickland is a tremendous fighter. I think he's got to reel it in a little bit, though, because it seems to be going off the rails."
  (17:33)

Conclusion

The episode culminates with Daniel Cormier expressing enthusiasm for upcoming UFC events, including the anticipated fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Drake "Duplessy." He also shares personal updates, such as Ben Askren's lung transplant recovery, highlighting the supportive community within the UFC family.

• Daniel Cormier on Upcoming Fights:
  "I cannot wait for UFC 319. Dean, thank you again for coming on, bro. I love challenging."
  (27:27)

Dean Thomas reciprocates the appreciation, reinforcing the collaborative and candid nature of their discussions.

Notable Quotes

• Dean Thomas on Jon Jones' Attention-Seeking:
  "This dude just loves attention. He loves attention. He's just trying to keep his name out there."
  (06:08)

• Daniel Cormier on Emotional Manipulation:
  "Don't keep rolling around, playing with our emotions and the fans' emotions."
  (10:06)

• Dean Thomas on Alex Pereira's Fighting Style:
  "He doesn't move his feet a lot, he doesn't wrestle a lot, and he's just got power."
  (11:13)

• Daniel Cormier on Sean Strickland's Focus:
  "I think Sean Strickland is a tremendous fighter. I think he's got to reel it in a little bit."
  (17:33)

• Dean Thomas on Strickland's Energy Allocation:
  "If he put the same amount of energy that he does on fighting YouTubers and having beef with other people... he would be winning."
  (17:48)

This episode offers a comprehensive look into the strategic and personal dynamics shaping the UFC landscape, providing listeners with in-depth analysis and candid opinions from two seasoned MMA personalities.