When a hitter goes up to a strike out pitcher and says, "hey, I bet i can hit your 98 mph fastball"....does the the pitcher go all rabid dog? When the corner back tells the receiver, "I'm gonna shut you down", does the receiver go rabid dog? When a basketball player says to another, "I bet I can dunk over you"...does the guy get so insulted that it becomes a lifelong issue? Answer? A big NO!
I think Cormier either saw the initial comment as a way to psyche himself up, or sell tickets, but when one fighter meets another fighter and comments that I think I can take you down....I dont see that as the worst insult and disrespect to start all this BS.
Because if Cormier saw that as the worst insult imaginable, he has a lot more to worry about and needs to see a psychologist.