UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya won’t let Jon Jones’ words slide, but he has business to attend to first.
Adesanya, who knocked out Robert Whittaker this past weekend at UFC 243, has emerged as one of MMA’s biggest stars. And he’s been going back and forth with UFC light heavyweight champ Jones, who hasn’t minced words when speaking about “The Last Stylebender,” accusing him of having a false sense of confidence.
Naturally, that didn’t sit well with Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who believes Jones (25-1 MMA, 19-1 UFC) is just intimidated by him and his rise in the sport.
“He is jealous,” Adesanya said Monday on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show”. “He sees the freshman that’s taking all the shine. He sees the guy that’s the new dog in the yard, and they’re intimidated. They’re jealous. They don’t know how to act. He’s always been a fan. He’s still a fan, I know he’s a fan. He’s always trying to do what he does, and I’m like just wait your turn.”
Since entering the UFC in February 2018, Adesanya has kept an active pace by competing seven times. As champ, he vows to actively defend his belt rather than chase two belts right out of the gate.
“I’m not going to be one of those guys that doesn’t defend his belt,” Adesanya said. “I’m going to defend my belt actively. I’m not going to be like him (Jones) and fight twice a year. They’re all trying to copy my (expletive), so let me just defend my belt first, and then I’ll move up, and I come (expletive) him up.”
But Adesanya won’t fall into any traps. There’s already a fight with Paulo Costa on the table, as well as several top ranked middleweights looking to get their shot.
“This guy, he’s trying to force my hand,” Adesanya said. “He’s trying to force my hand, and I’m not stupid. It’s not about oh I’m not confident. Trust me, I’m confident. Trust me, I’ll (expletive) this mother(expletive) when I fight him. I just have to do what I have to do. I have to defend my belt. I’ve just defended my belt. I’m the new unified king. There’s three more killers, four more killers I have to (expletive) up at middleweight first, and then I’ll move up in weight. Then I’ll jump up and (expletive) this guy like – I can’t wait.”
Adesanya continued, “I’ve planned everything from the jump. I’ve showed everyone this is what I’m going to do and this is how I’m going to do it, and I already said ‘Raiders Stadium, Las Vegas, 2021.’
“He’s just trying to take my moment. You can’t even (expletive) with me right now. Look at me. Who’s the new face of the UFC? You think Jon Jones could ever pull (expletive) like that?”
