Since becoming the UFC’s middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has enjoyed something of a verbal sparring session with Jon Jones. In turn, speculation has emerged relating to a potential bout between the two high-level fighters.
On paper, a contest involving both competitors promises to set new pay-per-view records, surpassing that set by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229. So, let’s take a look at whether a fight between Adesanya and Jones is something that the UFC should seriously be considering.
Jones’ Plan, Adesanya’s Legacy, and Attracting New Fans
In the near future, it appears unlikely that the Las Vegas-based promotion would strive to book the Last Stylebender and the former light heavyweight champion. Fundamentally, this is because of Jones’ short-term plans.
Back in August 2020, the consensus 205-pound king vacated his belt in targeting a move up to heavyweight, as per TheGuardian.com. As a result, several fighters have been open to welcoming Bones to his new weight class, including the reigning champion, Stipe Miocic, who has warned the newcomer of the division’s one-punch knockout power.
On the other hand, Adesanya’s upcoming plans don’t point to a burning desire to face Jones imminently. Following his second-round victory over Paulo Costa at UFC 253, the Nigerian-born fighter called out Jared Cannonier, should he defeat Robert Whittaker in their upcoming bout. Despite the hurdles, there are numerous benefits to booking the fight between two of the company’s most famous stars. Aside from the financial advantages, a superfight of that magnitude would undoubtedly grow the UFC’s viewership.
In turn, this will help to grow the sport of MMA across flourishing sectors, including sports betting. Crucially, at SportsBettingMarkets.com, the reviewed operators already offer prospective bettors an array of extensive sports markets, including MMA. Moreover, through their loyalty schemes and respective sign-up bonuses, users are rewarded for immersing themselves in real-world sporting events in the form of various promotions, such as cashback on losing bets.
How Do They Match Up Stylistically?
Upon looking at both fighter’s statistics at UFCStats.com, the two competitors boast similar numbers while on the feet. Jones’ profile states that he lands 4.3 significant strikes per minute with a striking accuracy of 57 percent. The Last Stylebender, meanwhile, connects with 4.1 significant strikes each minute at an accuracy rate of 50 percent. Furthermore, their defense totals are also almost identical, with Bones’ return standing at 64 percent and Adesanya’s at 63 percent.
Given their on-foot similarities, Jones would likely seek to take the reigning 185-pound champion to the ground. Throughout his professional career, the 33-year-old has won six of his 26 fights via submission. However, judging by the stats, Adesanya is more than capable of keeping a bout stood up. According to Forbes.com, the Nigerian-born fighter’s takedown defense sits at 86 percent. That said, Jones would likely go into a potential fight as the heavier and stronger man, which could undoubtedly aid his grappling superiority.
A Potential Record-Breaking Contest May Be in the Pipeline
At the time of writing, there doesn’t appear to be any plans for Adesanya and Jones to meet in the octagon. However, if both achieve their goals over the next year, then a superfight may be an intriguing proposition for all parties. For the Last Stylebender, in particular, legacy is at the forefront of his ambitions, and a win over Jones would unquestionably see him establish himself as one of the UFC’s best ever competitors.