Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya might not be happening as soon as you think.
A possible superfight between Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya is far from happening, as Dana White says there’s “massive hurdles” both men need to get over first.
Jones and Adesanya have been trading shots at each other for the last few years, but a fight between the two has never been scheduled by the UFC. Both fighters are moving up in weight classes for the next fight, with Adesanya leaving middleweight to challenge for the light heavyweight title and Jones poised to make his heavyweight debut.
“With Jon Jones moving up to heavyweight, I don’t know. Then there’s all the talk between him and Adesanya. I don’t want to get too excited,” White told ESPN (Transcription via MMA Junkie). “Adesanya still has to fight [UFC light heavyweight champion] Jan [Blachowicz], and Jones is at heavyweight.
“There’s so many massive hurdles that these guys need to get over, so don’t get excited thinking about Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya.”
Jones has fought at 205-pounds for his entire career and recently stated he has no intentions on moving back down from heavyweight. “Bones” hasn’t fought in the UFC since a public pay dispute with Dana White. With Jones likely to return this year, White believed Jones needed some time away from the cage.
“When you’re in this business, the amount of negativity that surrounds you on a daily basis is completely overwhelming to some people,” White said. “I think for some of these guys to step away from it for a while and focus on their family or hobbies or other things they have going on in their lives, (it) makes them appreciate coming back after taking a break.”