In the days after his dominating TKO victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 253, Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has taken to social media to stoke the flames of those who are not entirely sold on his brand of showboating, with some accusing “The Last Stylebender” of unprofessional conduct, both in-ring and online. However, this certain string of tweets from the undefeated Adesanya drew the ire of one person, former Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones.
This rivalry between Jones and Adesanya, the former recently relinquishing the Light Heavyweight Championship to ascend to the Heavyweight division, started when Adesanya responded to a fan on Twitter, who told the champion “Can’t wait to see you spank Jones” with the man himself responding to the fan with “Soon cum”. This prompted Jones to fire back on his own Twitter, saying that “you’re younger than me and have four times the fighting experience. Grow some balls already”.
From there it was clear the Adesanya and Jones weren’t going to be sending each other Christmas cards anytime soon, and sure enough, the tension between the two undefeated men has escalated.
However, Jones has made it clear that Adesanya is not the only man in his sights, as he recently took aim at new Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz, with Jones disputing the Polish champion’s claim that he “quit”, instead reasoning he has taken a few months off to gain weight in preparation for his heavyweight escapades, as well as suggesting he could potentially reappear in the Light Heavyweight scene to recapture the title that he relinquished, which he did so in the somewhat-recent aftermath of his victory over Dominic Reyes, the man who Blachowicz beat to win the vacant title. Many thought that Reyes deserved to win that bout, so Jones relinquishing the title came across as him ‘running’ from a man who seemingly had his number.
Adesanya, however, has spent the days after his victory at UFC 253 verbally brutalising Costa, as well as openly challenging Jones to fight at any weight, as well as continuously appearing to aggravate him. Meanwhile, Jones has consistently dismissed Adesanya as a threat on Twitter, stating “I’m over here kicking myself for arguing with a man who watches cartoons. I did myself a disservice today” and “I apologise [to] my fans for stooping to his [Adesanya’s] level and giving him exactly what he wants”.
As of now, the issues between the two men seem to have simmered down, but there is no knowing what awaits them in the future. An endless exchange of barbs across social media and beyond? Or an actual fight?
It remains to be seen, but given the difference between the two men, division-wise, it is unlikely a fight would be scheduled anytime soon, due to Jones’ aforementioned absence and Adesanya’s obligations as Middleweight Champion, with the former already staking his claim to a championship match with Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic, although UFC head honcho Dana White publicly stating that Francis Ngannou is next in line for a shot at the man who retired Daniel Cormier not too long ago. Meanwhile, the latter is biding his time, waiting for his next Middleweight contender, and no doubt throwing more barbs at all who dare draw the ire of the 20-0 “Last Stylebender”.
And in the words of the man himself:
