Israel Adesanya

Dana White Is All-In On Jon Jones-Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya has the biggest fight of his career this Saturday night, as the interim UFC middleweight champion meets Robert Whittaker to unify the belts at UFC 243 from Australia.

However, that could just be step one to an even more attractive fight for the unbeaten Adesanya.

UFC president Dana White told Sky Sports News that he would be very interested in putting together Adesanya vs. Jon Jones should things go as planned for the middleweight this weekend.

“Those guys have been talking smack back-and-forth,” White said. “If Israel wins and he really does want to fight Jon Jones, that’s a really big fight.”

Related: Countdown To UFC 243

There would still be many roadblocks to hurdle before putting Adesanya vs. Jones together inside the Octagon, with the first being Whittaker. Adesanya would also have to be willing to meet “Bones” at 205 pounds, as it is very unlikely that he would drop down for a catch-weight contest.

Adesanya is a perfect 17-0 in his career, including a victory earlier this year for the interim belt vs. Kelvin Gastelum. Jones has just one loss, albeit via disqualification, on his resume, and topped Thiago Santos to defend his belt in his most recent contest.

Dana White’s Interview With Sky Sports News

Training, Dreaming In Latest UFC 243 Embedded

On episode four of UFC 243 Embedded, middleweight champion Robert Whittaker daydreams about sweets on his way to a photo shoot at Marvel Stadium.

UFC 243 athletes and teammates Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker and Brad Riddell continue to train together.

Interim middleweight champion Adesanya drives a luxury car to meet with fans and a street artist. Lightweight Al Iaquinta is joined by his legendary coaches Matt Serra and Ray Longo.

Related: Robert Whittaker Ready To Give Melbourne Another Show

The series is an all-access, behind-the-scenes video blog leading up to the middleweight title unification bout taking place Saturday via ESPN+ pay-per-view.

UFC 243 Embedded, Episode Four

UFC 243 Fight Card

MAIN CARD (ESPN+ Pay-Per-View)

UFC Middleweight Championship
Robert Whittaker (c) vs. Israel Adesanya (ic)

Lightweight: Al Iaquinta vs. Dan Hooker

Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Serghei Spivak

Welterweight: Luke Jumeau vs. Dhiego Lima

Heavyweight: Justin Tafa vs. Yorgan De Castro

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN)

Welterweight: Jake Matthews vs. Rostem Akman

Welterweight: Callan Potter vs. Maki Pitolo

Lightweight: Jamie Mullarkey vs. Brad Riddell

Female Featherweight: Megan Anderson vs. Zarah Fairn dos Santos

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass)

Female Flyweight: Nadia Kassem vs. Ji Yeon Kim

Bantamweight: Khalid Taha vs. Bruno Silva

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