Israel Adesanya says plan to train with Jon Jones already 'in the works'
Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones apparently squashed their beef after they ran into each other in Las Vegas.
During UFC 290 fight week, Adesanya encountered Jones at the hotel bar and the two champions chopped it up. Videos emerged of them lightly sparring which warmed some fans’ hearts.
For years, middleweight champion Adesanya and heavyweight champ Jones traded barbs, and even angled for a fight. However, “The Last Stylebender” said their pure chance run-in officially has ended any rivalry they had.
“I said it’s no one’s business,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “Like, when I posted about it, I was like, it’s between me and him. That’s it. But it definitely wasn’t a fake encounter. I think it was divine intervention. I honestly do because I feel like there are so many timelines that could have ended up just differently.”
Jones and Adesanya’s back-and-forth happened during Jones’ light heavyweight title reign. Adesanya even attempted to move up a weight class during Jones’ time off, but failed to capture the 205-pound title against then champion Jan Blachowicz in a decision loss at UFC 259.
“We have understanding, common ground, and we’re competitors – that’s it,” Adesanya said. “We’re competitors. But why should I hate my brother, if that makes sense?”
Not only did Adesanya and Jones have a conversation, but the pair plan on training together soon.
“Already – it’s in the works. It’ll happen,” Adesanya said.
Adesanya is gearing for the first title defense of his new reign against Dricus Du Plessis, which will potentially take place at UFC 293 on Sept. 9 in Sydney. Meanwhile, newly crowned heavyweight champion Jones will meet Stipe Miocic in the UFC 295 headliner on Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York.