Israel Adesanya thinks it’s time for Jon Jones to commit to moving on to the heavyweight division.
Jones (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) announced Monday that he had reached an agreement with the UFC brass to lower his lightweight championship in heavyweight. Jones indicated that negotiations would begin to look at a long-awaited move to heavyweight, but has not made a debut.
Jones to heavyweight has been talked about for years. It has never been fully panned, but it appears that time could soon arrive. However, one of the fights he can leave behind at 205 pounds is against middleweight champion Adesanya, who has expressed a desire to go after and fight Jones if the timing is right.
Jones tried several times to put pressure on Adesanya to come to terms, but “The Last Stylebender” said he would do it only on his own terms. If that means Jones is no more, then so be it.
“Look how long it took him to go to heavyweight,” Adesanya told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during the UFC 253 media call. “Finally. He expected me to do it right away, but I had not defended my belt yet. I have defended my belt twice now, I will defend it a few times and then do what I knew how to do. But, yes, the pot that calls the kettle black by its side.Go some (explosive) muscle on your staff legs and go (explosive) fight Francis Ngannou and see how he breaks you.I hope he does not do that however.Maybe does he who. Who knows? “
Despite Jones’ move, Adesanya said he would not take the matchup off the table. Adesanya has said in the past that fighting at heavyweight is part of his own career path, so it is possible that is where he could finally meet Jones.
“One hundred percent. It does not change my plans,” said Adesanya. “My plan is still progressing as planned. That, yes, the same thing.”
First and foremost, though, Adesanya has the task of defending his 185-pound title against Paulo Costa. They meet in the main event of UFC 253, which takes place Sept. 26 at an unannounced location. The main card will be after pay per view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN +.
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