“Same level as Jon Jones” – Khabib Nurmagomedov’s surprising tweet about Israel Adesanya’s legacy goes VIRAL again ahead of UFC 293

Khabib Nurmagomedov once compared Israel Adesanya with Jon Jones. The tweet went viral once again before Adesanya defends his title against Sean Strickland.

“Same level as Jon Jones” – Khabib Nurmagomedov’s surprising tweet about Israel Adesanya’s legacy goes VIRAL again ahead of UFC 293

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Israel Adesanya (Image via Imago)

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Israel Adesanya respect each other despite their different stylistic backgrounds. Adesanya was appreciative of Khabib’s ground and pound. Similarly, Khabib deeply acknowledges Adesanya’s run in the UFC.

With UFC 293 headlined by Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland about to happen on Saturday, ESPN MMA reposted Nurmagomedov’s tweet about “The Last Stylebender.” Khabib originally posted it before Adesanya fought Alex Periera at UFC 281. He said, ” I don’t miss Adesanya’s fights and actually feel like he doesn’t get the credit he deserve. If he defends the title a couple more times, he will be on the same level with Jones.” Unfortunately for Adesanya, he lost minutes after Khabib posted the tweet against Periera.

YouTube video

Even if Khabib Nurmagomedov thought Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones were on the same level, the stats don’t agree. Jones has twice the experience that Adesanya has in championship fights. Moreover, Jones is a two-division champion, whereas Adesanya was unsuccessful in his attempt to be a double champion. Moreover, Jones defeated legendary fighters during his initial light heavyweight run. It is difficult to achieve what Jones achieved, mainly due to the current heavyweight champion starting his MMA career fairly young.

FS Video

Jon Jones is arguably the greatest MMA fighter ever, whereas Israel Adesanya has a long way to go to reach Jones’ level. Jones will defend his title at UFC 295 against Stipe Miocic. Miocic is the GOAT of the heavyweight division in the UFC. The fight is already seen as a matchup between heavyweight GOAT vs. MMA GOAT.

Related: ‘I might give it to between Costa and Khamzat,’ Israel Adesanya and Dana White rule out Dricus Du Plessis chances of title shot next after South African’s back out from UFC 293

Khabib Nurmagomedov predicts UFC 294 main event

Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira
Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira

At UFC 294, Islam Makhachev faces off against Charles Oliveira in a rematch. Their first meeting was at UFC 280 for the vacant lightweight title. The title was vacant due to Oliveira missing weight by 0.5 pounds in the previous title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274.

Nurmagomedov predicted the first fight correctly and gave his opinion on the rematch. He said the second fight would be tougher for Makhachev as Oliveira would have nothing to lose in the rematch. He clarified that the rematch would be tough on both parties, but the champion would face more difficulty.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has not been in Makhachev’s corner since UFC 274. He has cited that his family remains his priority in his retirement life. Makhachev will not have any problems in the corner as the experienced mind of Javier Mendez will always be there.

In case you missed it!