Israel Adesanya put on a spectacular performance at Saturday's UFC 253, decimating Paulo Costa to retain the middleweight championship. The showing was impressive to the point where people are wondering if Adesanya will take the step he's been saying he will do, and that's face off with former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
When the topic was broached to Adesanya during his UFC 253 post-fight press conference, he said he'd have to discuss the matter with his head coach, Eugene Bareman, before giving a firm commitment. Jones fired back over social media, saying he doesn't believe Adesanya wants anything to do with him because of what would happen once the fight occurs.
"BUT what?" Jones wrote. "You've stepped into the ring over 100 times now, and you're still not ready!? You have a youth advantage and like four times the fighting experience. The truth is you're already my (expletive), you love being undefeated, and you've seen what's happened to everyone else. It raises your stock to mention my name. (You're) aware of this. You don't want real confrontation with me (because) I'm not gonna just stand there and kickbox with you. I've been preparing for heavyweights. (Right) around now, I would literally tear one of your arms off."
Jones and Adesanya have verbally sparred in every form of media. Jones hasn't competed since winning his toughest test to date by split decision over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 to retain the light heavyweight title. But Jones relinquished the belt in August for what is expected to be a move to heavyweight, which does make a possible Adesanya clash more challenging to make.
It is unknown when Adesanya will return to the Octagon after dispatching Costa rather quickly via second-round TKO.