Jon Jones puts aside rivalry to praise Israel Adesanya

Jon Jones praises Israel Adesanya ahead of his return against Ciryl Gane.

UFC Jon Jones puts aside rivalry to praise Israel Adesanya

Tosin Abayomi 16:02 - 01.03.2023

Jon Jones praises Israel Adesanya ahead of his return against Ciryl Gane.

American professional mixed martial artist Jonathan Jones is set to return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Jones after a long hiatus from the sport returns against French professional mixed martial artist Ciryl Gane.

Jones takes on Gane after UFC President Dana White stripped Cameroonian-French professional mixed martial artist Francis Ngannou of the heavyweight title.

Jones and Adesanya

Jones had a long-standing rivalry with New Zealand professional mixed martial artist of Nigerian descent Israel Adesanya.

Adesanya in an interview with American international monthly men's magazine GQ explained how he became a professional combatant.

Adesanya and Jones have clashed severally on social media and hinted at settling their dispute in the Octagon.

The Last Style Bender moved up from Middleweight to face light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz back in 2020.

After Adesanya's defeat, Jones said on Twitter, “Give it up coach. We’ve all seen your cards, your boy has almost no takedown defense or offence off his back. 

"Now you’re just being a cloud trout, if you would honestly send him in there against a 260 pound wrestler after that last performance, you don’t care about his well-being.”

Adesanya lost the fight via a decision from the judges but hinted it was a step to facing Jones in the future. While preparing for his next fight against Gane, Jones was complimentary of Adesanya.

Filming a 'sneaker shop' video, Jones praised Adesanya for his colorful and eccentric outfit choices.

It is now expected that Adesanya returns to the UFC octagon later this year.

Asked which UFC star could get a sneaker deal like basketball players do, Jones suggested Adesanya for his fashion style.

He said, "If I had to recommend, I don't like this fighter very much but I can't deny Israel Adesanya. 

“Izzy is a statement maker, he is not afraid to step outside of his box when it comes to his fashion and things like that. I actually think he does have a deal with Puma, so well deserved."

Jones targets the UFC heavyweight championship against Gane at UFC 285 on Sunday, March 5, 2023.

Adesanya on the other hand returns with the aim to reclaim the UFC Middleweight championship in a rematch against Alex Pereira at UFC 287 on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

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