Apparently, Jon Jones is amused by Israel Adesanya’s change of course when it comes to a possible long-awaited potential for resentment.
Adesanya (20-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) had said for more than a year that his final plan was to meet with Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) in the octagon in July , ideally at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in front of a potentially record crowd for “the biggest fight in UFC history.” This was said, however, long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world.
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 259 event, where middleweight champion Adesanya will climb the light heavyweight to challenge Jan Blachowicz for a second belt, “The Last Stylebender” has said a showdown with Jones in December now feels more likely, mainly because he believes it is imperative that a crowd attend.
“Unfortunately, it may not be summer or July, but it’s still December,” Adesanya told ESPN. “It simply came to our notice then. All I know is that this option (against Jon Jones) needs a crowd. I can’t do it on empty ground. “
Jones, who vacated the title in July, Adesanya will challenge Blachowicz for his lead at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, is currently on his way to debuting in the heavyweight division this year. All signs point to challenging the winner of the March 27 title fight between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou.
“Bones” has said several times that she doesn’t care so much about Adesanya’s struggle and certainly doesn’t pursue it. But that doesn’t mean he still doesn’t like to make fun of his rival, which is exactly what happened when he realized Adesanya’s comments about his fight (via Twitter):
I guess the energy of the cartoons will already have their wrestling and Jujitsu ready for December
If the stars line up perfectly and Jones and Adesanya win their next fights, a December fight could be realistic. For now, however, it looks like long-range shooting will continue.