Getty Jon Jones (C) yells out after defeating Daniel Cormier in a light heavyweight title fight at the MGM GrandGarden Arena on January 3, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones told middleweight champion Israel Adesanya that he is waiting for him. “Bones” and “The Last Stylebender” have traded verbal barbs back and forth on social media since Saturday, when Adesanya defended his belt in the main event of UFC 253, defeating Paulo Costa by second-round TKO.
Adesanya has stated many times he wants to fight Jones in 2021 at light heavyweight. He has also shown interest in competing at heavyweight.
Jones vacated his light heavyweight title and is preparing to move up to the heavyweight division.
In a recent dig, The Last Stylebender tweeted about Jones’ late mother, responding to a tweet from Jones’ about Adesanya’s father. Bones tweeted, “I’m curious to hear what his father tells him when he asks about fighting me. I wonder if his father believes he’s ready? Eugene [Bareman] (Adesanya’s head coach) definitely doesn’t.”
Adesanya replied,”My pops already told me how I’d beat you. Trust me he knows.
Your mom would be disappointed in who you’ve become.”
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Jones Challenged Adesanya, Adesanya Responded
Later on, Bones replied to Adesanya’s comments with a series of tweets, ending with him challenging Adesanya to fight in 2021.
Jones tweeted, “Sitting with tens of millions of dollars, children on fire about Jesus Christ, one of the greatest martial artist and world history. Sure my mom is disappointed why you mad bro?”
Sitting with tens of millions of dollars, children on fire about Jesus Christ, one of the greatest martial artist and world history. Sure my mom is disappointed 😂🤷🏾♂️ why you mad bro?
Jones, who has done a lot of community work in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the CARE Project, tweeted “My mother was an amazing humanitarian. I know for a fact that the care project makes her more proud than anything I’ve done in the UFC.”
My mother was an amazing humanitarian. I know for a fact that the care project makes her more proud than anything I’ve done in the UFC.
Bones continued, “Izzy thanks for giving me the opportunity to highlight my amazing mother this afternoon, now I’m just missing her. Are we still on for 2021?”
Izzy thanks for giving me the opportunity to highlight my amazing mother this afternoon, now I’m just missing her. Are we still on for 2021?
Jones tweeted, “Will fight me at any weight you said right?”
Will fight me at any weight you said right?
Bones then wrote, “I called bullshit, I’m waiting for you. The world is waiting.”
I called bullshit, I’m waiting for you
The world is waiting
Adesanya replied with conviction, writing, “Jon Jones with the burn…ouch. Listen crispy cream, it’s still 2020. 2021 soon come. You’ll get this work.”
Jon Jones with the burn…ouch.
Listen crispy cream, it’s still 2020. 2021 soon come.
You’ll get this work.
Adesanya’s Next Title Defense Will Likely Be Against the Winner of UFC 254’s Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier
The Last Stylebender put on a show for fans during the main event of UFC 253 on September 26. Adesanya took on Paulo Costa, a Brazilian phenom who was billed by many as a serious threat to the middleweight champion’s throne. Adesanya proved those people wrong, however, as he put on a one-sided performance, dominating the fighter and earning a second-round TKO.
When asked after the fight about who he wants to take on next in the middleweight division, Adesanya mentioned Jared Cannonier. However, the No. 3 ranked Cannonier has a massive test ahead of him. He is scheduled to fight former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker during UFC 254 on October 24.
Should Cannonier defeat Whittaker, he will improve his win streak to four and the UFC may very well slot him in as the next contender for Adesanya’s belt. And if Whittaker earns a victory over Cannonier, he may receive the rematch he’s been looking for against Adesanya.
After The Last Stylebender took Whittaker’s belt in October 2019, the former champ defeated Darren Till by unanimous decision in July. A win over Cannonier may be enough to earn him a shot at reclaiming gold.
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