Could we be a step closer to a Jon Jones-Israel Adesanya fight?
UFC President Dana White revealed at Saturday's UFC Fight Night post-fight press conference that after meeting with Adesanya on Friday, the middleweight champion would be up moving to 205 pounds to challenge light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in his next contest.
Talk of an Adesanya-Blachowicz clash started earlier this week from an NZ Herald report that the former was ready to begin negotiating a bout with the newly crowned titleholder. Blachwoicz saw the news and gave a place for when the megafight can occur.
“I have heard that Israel Adesanya wants to face me next,” Blachowicz tweeted. “No problem. If you are ready to fight in March, let’s do this. Prepare for some fireworks guys.”
Adesanya (20-0) last fought at UFC 253 in September when he thrashed Paulo Costa via second-round TKO. Afterward, "The Last Style Bender" said he'd give Jared Cannonier the next title shot if he got by former titlist Robert Whittaker at last Saturday's UFC 254. But that didn't come to pass as Whittaker won a unanimous decision.
White said at the UFC 254 post-fight presser that an Adesanya-Whittaker sequel was "very appealing" but there may be a chance that the New Zealander could change his mind. That happened as Adesanya appears to not be too keen on facing Whittaker again after knocking out the Australian in the second round back at UFC 243. Now, the 31-year-old star is going to take his talents to light heavyweight.
When Jones vacated the title in the summer, the UFC booked Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes to compete for the vacant strap at the aforementioned UFC 253. Blachowicz (27-8) shocked the world, dominating Reyes to become the first Polish-born fighter to capture the 205-pound title.
If Adesanya can beat Blachowicz and become a two-division world champion, could that be enough to sway Jones to stay and make the fight the MMA world wants to see?