UFC 236: Israel Adesanya Has a Warning For Jon Jones

Israel Adesanya has repeatedly made headlines for comments he’s made, versus kicks or punches he’s thrown, and he’s done so again.

The rising star is scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum tomorrow night at UFC 236, in a contest that will deliver an interim middleweight title to the winner. If “The Last Stylebender” wins, it will be another big step he’s taken towards superstardom. After all, Adesanya hasn’t lost to date under MMA rules, he’s coming off a win over the legendary Anderson  Silva, and it will advance him to a fight with current 185 champ, Robert Whittaker.

Well, likely due to all this, Adesanya has caught the eye of Jon Jones, who believes a scrap with the vaunted striker will go down someday. Adesanya was asked about “Bone’s” comments while speaking to TMZ recently, and the charismatic fighter had this to say in response (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“He was right and when I heard about it – I think maybe two days after he said it – I was like, ‘Oh, really?’” Adesanya said. “I had receipts. I had some screenshots from prior and then I posted them to show that I was already on that same plane. So yeah, great minds think alike.”

“It does tickle my loins,” Adesanya said. “It does make me feel some type of way. I like challenges. [Jones] is the GOAT right now, right? I’ve already killed one GOAT, I’m hunting the next.”

“Focus on this weekend. That’s way down the line. I’ve still got to run through all these middleweights first. So we’ll focus on that later on. That’s just a little teaser. Later on we’ll talk about that.”

Now, even if for some reason, you’re not a booster of Adesanya’s, you have to admire him for his willingness and interest in facing Jones. Adesanya is not big for 185, while the light-heavyweight champ Jones has talked about competing at heavyweight numerous times. Not to mention the fact “Bones” is one of the most complete, athletic and talented fighters the game has ever seen.

Of course, we’re a ways out from this fight being a possibility. Adesanya has the always dangerous Gastelum ahead of him. Then, if he gets by the former TUF winner, he’ll need to defeat the ridiculously tough Whittaker, and likely defend the belt a couple of times before facing Jones is a possibility.