Jones Backs Adesanya Over UFC Break

UFCheavyweight champion Jon Jones believes that former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is doing the right thing by taking a break from mixed martial arts.

The Last Stylebender announced on Friday that he plans to take an extended break from competition following a disappointing loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. In an upset, Strickland soundly out-struck Adesanya over the course of five rounds, putting an abrupt end to Adesanya’s second reign as middleweight champion.

Reports that Adesanya pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge in New Zealand over an incident that occurred three weeks before the fight raised further questions about Adesanya’s focus.

Also read: Adesanya Takes UFC Break

Adesanya said in his announcement that he is not making excuses for the Strickland loss, but made it clear “I’m not going to fight for a long time” after maintaining a hectic schedule for the past few years.

“I’m not making any excuses. Strickland got me on the night because he was the better fighter on the night, and he did his work well. He had a good team behind him. Now I’m going to take time to look after myself. I’m not going to fight for a long time. I’m definitely not going to retire, because that’s not me,” Adesanya told The Rock FM in his native New Zealand.

On Sunday, Jones took to his social media to comment that he fully supports Adesanya’s decision after he himself took a lengthy break from 2020-2023 that saw Jones make a triumphant return in March at UFC 284 where he claimed the vacant heavyweight title with a dominant submission win over Ciryl Gane.

“Hey @stylebender I just want 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 & spirit. Proud of you Champ,” Johnes wrote.

Adesanya and Jones feuded for years with both taking shots at each other in interviews and on social media, but recently the two buried the hatchet and even opened up the possibility of training together.

Jones, a three-time light heavyweight champion widely regarded as one of the best fighters in MMA history, speaks from experience when he talks about being rejuvenated after a stint on the sidelines. Following a narrow decision win over Dominick Reyes in February 2020, Jones would not fight for three years, though his time away from the cage wasn’t all positive.

Jones was embroiled in a contract dispute with UFC CEO Dana White and the promotion over a rumored bout with Francis Ngannou in 2021, and that same year he was arrested in Las Vegas before the case was dropped in a subsequent plea deal.

When Adesanya will fight again is undecided but he’ll be sure to want a return similar to the one Jones had when he makes a comeback.