NEW YORK – Daniel Cormier has pulled back the curtain on what happened in the aftermath of the UFC 309 pre-fight press conference between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

The attitude between Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) and Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) has grown more hostile as the days roll by to Saturday’s heavyweight title fight at Madison Square Garden (ESPN+ pay-per view , ESPNews, ESPN+). Jones said the fight is now “very personal” for him after he believes his opponent committed a personal slight against his family and called him a “b*tch” on the “Countdown” preview show, but Miocic thinks it’s an overreaction and claims he never spoke about Jones’ children.

Cormier, who has a deep history on both sides of the championship fight, isn’t surprised by Jones’ attitude. He thinks ‘Bones’ is the type who uses whatever he can as motivation.

“A lot of greats do that (take everything as motivation),” Cormier told MMA Junkie on Friday. “He likes it. He also functions well in that. He operated well in our series of fights and he doesn’t mind. We just talked at the weigh-in show and he said it was true – he didn’t make this up. He said, “I heard Stipe say it. I’m not lying.’ So in his mind it’s the absolute truth and he’s operating under the idea that Stipe Miocic insulted him, insulted his family and he wants to make him pay for it.”

Cormier said Jones may be pushing the wrong buttons in this situation, or he may be pressing the right ones. He revealed some backstage insight to Miocic after leaving the confrontation with Jones, where he refused to shake hands and told him, “Don’t ever talk about my kids.”

“He’s angry,” Cormier said of Miocic. ‘You’ll see. As he stepped off the stage at yesterday’s press conference, Jon said, “Don’t talk about my kids.” And Stipe says, “I didn’t talk about your kids,” and he shook his head. He left the stage, ripped off his microphone and told “Embedded,” “Stop filming.” He was so angry and upset.”

Ultimately, the fight week interactions between champion and challenger have Cormier very excited about what will happen on Saturday. The matchup has been criticized for almost the entire 20-month build, but now that we’re on the doorstep, Cormier thinks it was the right booking by the organization.

“For a while I thought: these guys are forcing the fight. It shouldn’t happen.’ Now it has to happen,” Cormier said. “Now that we’ve gotten here, it should be done. I saw Stipe Miocic – it should happen. He looks great – great physical shape. Jon looks great. He’s lost some weight. I think you’re going to see two of the best guys in the best shape they’ve been in in a long time competing for the most coveted prize in mixed martial arts.

“I don’t care how popular some other belts are. The most important title in the world is the heavyweight championship, and two of the best fighters of all time will fight for it on Saturday night. I can’t wait.”

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s events hub for UFC 309.