The UFC’s Latest Next Big Thing Thinks He Could Take on Jon Jones… Unsurprisingly, ‘Bones’ Has Replied to Israel Adesanya With a Brutal Comeback…
Israel Adesanya has the whole world at his feet right now. The middleweight title contender is set to get his first chance to win UFC gold by taking on Kelvin Gastelum for the interim 185lb belt. It’s a massive opportunity for the Nigerian-born, New Zealander who has some of the slickest striking in the game.
He’s so good with his feet and hands that Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson once brought him into a training camp to mimic Jon Jones. While Jones ultimately never fought ‘Rumble’ because of his mess outside the octagon, it just goes to show how highly Adesanya was rated, even back then.
‘The Last Stylebender’ fully believes that he can go further than merely pretending to be Jones. He believes that he can beat the man widely perceived by many to be the greatest MMA fighter ever. Unsurprisingly Jones does not agree.
On the Hunt
Now before we go any further, you can blame TMZ for putting Adesanya on the spot. They asked him the question and he answered. He genuinely believes that he could fight at light-heavyweight in the future. With his height, it’s very possible. Have you seen him stand across from Kelvin Gastelum? Anyway, Jones is a definite target for ‘The Last Stylebender.’
“It does tickle my loins,” Adesanya told TMZ Sports. “It does make me feel some type of way. I like challenges. [Jones] is the GOAT right now, right? I’ve already killed one GOAT, I’m hunting the next.”
Obviously, one punch from Gastelum could end this conversation right away.
“Daddy”
Jones and Adesanya have been cordial and respectful up to this point, but as the potential of them facing off becomes more realistic, their relationship is becoming more explosive too. ‘Bones’ issued a ruthless response to the young usurper on Twitter:
“If you think you killed 44 yr old Anderson, you didn’t,” wrote Jones. “I’m not really sure what fight you’ve been watching. You got past the legendary GOAT, now come f—k with the King of the jungle. I’ll make you call me daddy by the third.”
This has the makings of a historic rivalry. Of course, Adesanya has to do his part first in order for it to become real.
Active
Both of these fighters are very active. Adesanya fought four times in 2018 and most recently took a decision over Anderson Silva in what was basically a kickboxing chess match, back in February. Now, less than two months later, he’s set to step back into the cage again against a very dangerous Kelvin Gastelum, who is surely one of the most underrated fighters on the roster.
Meanwhile, Jones is going to fight Thiago Santos on July 6 and look to defend his title for the second time since winning the vacant strap against Alexander Gustafsson. If – as expected – he beats Santos, Jones will basically have cleared out the division. It’s not impossible that ‘The Last Stylebender’ could twist his way into the biggest fight of his life.
