- Dana White stated Jon Jones would fight next year.
- White indicated an immediate rematch could be an option for Israel Adesanya
UFC president Dana White enjoyed an incredible return to the iconic Madison Square Garden after a three-year hiatus for UFC 281 this past Saturday. The card was headlined by the middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and his longtime rival Alex Pereira. Adesanya was on his way to getting a decision win when ‘Poatan’ connected with a flurry of punches in the final round to score a standing TKO finish.
Dana White ‘won’t rule out’ an immediate rematch for Israel Adesanya
At the post-fight press conference, White shared his thoughts on Adesanya’s future after losing his title to Pereira. He lauded ‘Stylebender’ for taking the fight and hinted an immediate title rematch could be on the horizon.
“Adesanya wanted this fight. A lot of people talk publicly and it’s a whole different story behind the scenes. That guy is an absolute stud. He always wants to stay active. In a fight that most guys would stall, ‘Give me more time. Give me this, that,’ he dove right into this fight.
“His only loss was when he tried to move up in weight to 205. You’ve got to respect him as champ and what he’s done. … I wouldn’t rule out an immediate rematch.”
White says Jon Jones will fight next year
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, has been on the sidelines for nearly three years since his last outing against Dominick Reyes in Feb. 2020 at UFC 247. He has been preparing for a move up to the heavyweight division and got linked to a potential showdown with reigning heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
When asked about the update on Jones’ return, White confirmed ‘Bones’ would be back next year.
“Jon Jones will fight next year, for sure. We never had a Stipe-Jon Jones fight. He’s gonna fight next year.”
Jones was rumored to take on former heavyweight king Stipe Miocic in his heavyweight debut, but recent reports suggested the matchup would not come to fruition. A clash with Ngannou at the end of the first quarter 2023 could be likely if all parties come to an agreement financially.
