When Jon Jones was surprisingly supportive of Israel Adesanya's career decision after years of online feud: "Always put YOU first"
A surprising show of camaraderie unfolded between former rivals Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya last year. Despite their past online clashes, Jones backed Adesanya's decision to take an extended break from fighting.
Following his defeat to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, Adesanya announced his intention to step away from the octagon for an extended period. The two-time middleweight champion expressed the need to prioritize his well-being and announced a year-long hiatus from the sport.
"14 months... four fights - as a champion," Adesanya exclaimed. "Before [the Strickland fight]... I knew I'm on the back end of my career so I was like 'I wanna do as many as I can, because I know when I'm done with this I'm gonna miss it, man."
He added:
"I'm not gonna fight for a long time, I'm definitely not gonna retire... but if I did, I'm fine, I don't need to prove anything else. ...I'm gonna heal myself up --- you won't see me fight for a long time." [H/t: si.com]
Jones, who himself took a significant hiatus from the sport before returning to capture the heavyweight title, expressed understanding and support for Adesanya's decision. In a social media post, he wrote:
"Hey [Adesanya] I just wanted to let you know I support your decision to take a break from fighting. Taking those last three years off was one of the best decisions I've made. Always put YOU first brother. Protect your heart, protect your mind and spirit. Proud of you champ."
Check out Jon Jones' addressing Israel Adesanya's hiatus below:
Adesanya is currently scheduled to make his comeback to the octagon against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305.
Israel Adesanya reflects on career ahead of upcoming title fight
Israel Adesanya recently took a moment to reflect on his rapid rise in the world of mixed martial arts. The charismatic striker, who has captivated fans with his unique style and undeniable talent, has experienced both the highs and lows of the sport during his UFC tenure.
From his debut in 2018 to becoming a two-time champion, Adesanya's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. However, setbacks against Alex Pereira have forced him to reassess his career and future goals.
As he prepares to face Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305, Adesanya shared his thoughts on the fleeting nature of his fighting career:
''August 18th, the cultures will clash in a different way... I'm feeling calm, I'm feeling really good, just clocking back into work. I'm enjoying the little things like this, this is nice. Because before these would be sometimes a little bit tedious, because even this morning they woke me up at 6:30 and I was like, 'Cool, boom, let's go...' Look, one day, this will be gone.''
Check out Israel Adesanya's comment below (05:39):