Israel Adesayna Discusses Plans to “Flex” With “205 Belt”

The UFC is planning to have Israel Adesanya throw hands with Jan Blachowicz next, and the middleweight champ says it won’t be a one-off fight at 205 pounds.

Adesanya outlines plans for light heavyweight division

Recently Dana White confirmed that the UFC is working on having Adesanya face the new, light heavyweight champ next.

After Adesanya put away Paulo Costa at UFC 253 in September, he said he planned to face Jared Cannonier next. But, Robert Whittaker punted those plans by outscoring Cannonier for the decision win.

Well, given that Adesanya has talked about fighting former light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, numerous times, his willingness to move up isn’t a surprise. While speaking with MMA Fighting recently, ‘The Last Stylebender’ had this to say, about his decision to move up sooner than later.

“All I know is f**king 2021, light heavyweight is mine,” Adesanya said. “I’ll take the belt just to double champ it like some of the other fighters have. [Conor] McGregor, D.C. (Daniel Cormier),

I like the look of two gold belts on my shoulder. I already did it with my interim belt and my unified undisputed belt when I was the double interim champ.

“But just to flex with that 205 belt as well, and I don’t even have to do much to do it. I just stay the same frame that I am.

I don’t have to pack muscle like these guys are doing, like Jon [Jones] is doing. They’re making grave mistakes. It will come back to bite them in the ass when it’s time.”

In addition, Adesanya also made it clear that if he wins the light heavyweight belt, he intends to keep defending the middleweight crown as well.

“No, middleweight’s mine,” he said. “Middleweight is my perfect weight class.

So when I do 205, I’ll just hold up that division once in a while that’s all. I’ll defend my belt when it’s time.”

…That’s all down the line. I deal with things as they come. I plan for the future, but at the same time, there’s so many variables in this game. You deal with things as they come.”

2021 could be another, massive year for Adesanya

Now, first things first, and Adesanya needs to defeat the ridiculously, dangerous Blachowicz. But, if he does win the 205 title, 2021 could be another, massive year for the star.

One would think that if he becomes a champ-champ, the UFC will push hard for a fight with Jones. That bout will almost certainly be one of the biggest in the promotion’s history.

If… if Adesanya defeats Jones, he’ll have a strong case for being the best fighter on the planet.