In Jon Jones’ opinion, Israel Adesanya’s accolades are not comparable to his.
A former light heavyweight champ and current UFC heavyweight title holder, Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) is widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time – if not the greatest. UFC middleweight champion Adesanya may have already done enough for a spot in the UFC’s Hall of Fame.
Although Jones and Adesanya (23-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) never actively competed in the same division, the pair previously angled for a fight. “The Last Stylebender” was convinced it would happen someday. But with Jones now at heavyweight and Adesanya back as middleweight champion, a fight appears unlikely, at least as Jones sees it.
“No,” Jones recently told Fox Sports Australia when asked if he fought Adesanya. “I feel like my legacy, my career has passed his. If this was an ‘Instagram following competition,’ then yeah we’d be neck and neck. But when it comes to our body of work there’s no competition, and there is no reason for me to compare myself to him.
“He’s done great things and people say, ‘There’s lots of room in the sky for many stars.’ And he is undoubtedly a star. But I feel like our careers are really incomparable. So, (it’s) not a fight that I need, no.”
Jones will soon be heading to Australia and New Zealand for some fan meet-and-greet appearances. With Adesanya residing in New Zealand, could they possibly run into each other?
“I highly doubt I’d l run into Izzy,” Jones said. “It would be funny if I did but, I’m sure there is enough room in New Zealand for both of us great champions to have good times and do great business. If I see him, I see him. If I don’t, I don’t.”
