“I’m middleweight,” When Israel Adesanya was left stunned by Jon Jones’ desire to fight him

The feud between Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones seems to have taken an unexpected turn. Over the years, these two fighters have engaged in verbal jabs and exchanged shots on social media, igniting speculations about a much-anticipated super fight. Adesanya has established himself as the man to beat in the middleweight division, while Jones has earned the title of the greatest light heavyweight of all time and currently holds the UFC‘s heavyweight championship.

However, Jones recently surprised many by expressing admiration for Adesanya in an interview with Sporting News. Despite their lack of friendship, Jones confessed that Adesanya is currently his favorite fighter in the UFC. He commended Adesanya’s captivating personality and highlighted the intense saga between Adesanya and his rival Alex Pereira as one of the most enthralling storylines in recent UFC history.

During an appearance on the Impaulsive podcast, Adesanya was informed about Jones’ unexpected praise. Initially questioning the authenticity of the remarks, Adesanya chuckled before responding. He acknowledged that he had been a fan of Jones since their fight against Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94, recognizing the talent displayed by Jones. Adesanya, however, was puzzled by Jones’ interest in fighting him, given the weight disparity between the two divisions.

The conflict between Adesanya and Jones originated when Jones expressed his desire to face Adesanya. This sparked a years-long feud between them, which reached its peak after Adesanya’s victory over Paulo Costa. At that time, a potential fight between Adesanya and Jones seemed imminent, but due to various factors such as scheduling conflicts and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bout never materialized.

Related: “Just data input behind the screen,” Now $4 million worth Israel Adesanya was once really bad at data job

Israel Adesanya reflects on Jon Jones and his journey in the UFC

As time passed, discussions about an Adesanya vs. Jones showdown lost momentum. Adesanya redirected his focus towards his rivalry with Pereira, while Jones transitioned to the heavyweight division. He ultimately secured the UFC heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Given the present circumstances, the likelihood of an Adesanya vs. Jones encounter appears remote. And this is a situation that Adesanya seems satisfied with at this stage of his career.

Israel Adesanya reflected on personal growth and maturity, stressing the significance of these aspects in his journey. He believed that initially, Jones viewed him as a threat to his spotlight upon his entry into the UFC. However, Adesanya expressed his belief that both fighters can thrive and excel in their respective weight classes, asserting that there is ample space for greatness without unnecessary animosity. He drew from his experience with Henry Cejudo, highlighting the importance of focusing on individual achievements and allowing each fighter to shine in their own lane.

As the rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones fades into the background, Adesanya continues to assert his dominance in the middleweight division. While Jones pursues new challenges in the heavyweight realm. While fans may still yearn for an epic clash between these two exceptional athletes, Adesanya’s personal growth and maturity have enabled him to embrace his own path, content with his role as the reigning middleweight champion.

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