The history of beef between UFC champions Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya has been well documented, but in case you don’t remember, the TLDR version of how it started is that, as Adesanya began his meteoric rise to stardom in 2018, so too did the comparisons to Jones. When that became a regular thing, the trash talk kicked into high gear.
And it’s gotten ugly at times through the years, even personal, with Jones bringing up Adesanya’s father, which Adesanya naturally didn’t take so well. Everything seemed headed toward an octagon showdown that would see Adesanya move up to light heavyweight to challenge Jones, but nothing ever materialized.
Bottom line: We’d been under the impression this whole time that Jones and Adesanya hate each other. But that appeared to start changing this year.
When Jones beat Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title in March at UFC 285, Adesanya gave Jones props for the quick submission. That was followed two months later by Jones saying Adesanya is “undoubtedly a star,” as well as later admitting in an interview that Adesanya was his favorite fighter, which Adesanya appreciated.
So the tide was turning Jones and Adesanya’s years-long feud – but was it really? Even though it seemed so, we’d never expect them to have a friendly encounter if they ever crossed paths.
And yet, here we are, with Adesanya posting this video on social media of a playful moment with Jones in Las Vegas this week:
UFC champs Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones turn over a new leaf in Las Vegas. 🤯
🎥 @stylebender / Threads pic.twitter.com/MvSgZefEpK
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 6, 2023
Is this really Jones and Adesanya turning over a new leaf, hatchet buried, beef squashed? For good?
Time will tell. For now, we have this wholesome moment between two of the best to ever step inside the cage.
UPDATE: Jones had this to say about meeting Adesanya for the first time.
We need more of this! Life’s too short to not be able to squash beef’s and get along with the homie. It was a real pleasure kicking it with middleweight champion @stylebender last night. Wish my man nothing but the best moving forward #respect
