Jon Jones may get an angry call from Israel Adesanya after the heavyweight champ seemingly fanned the flames still burning from Adesanya’s upstart rivalry with top-ranked middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis.
‘The Last Stylebender’ has been at odds with Du Plessis ever since ‘Stillknocks’ suggested that he would one day be the UFC’s first truly African world champion earlier this year. The comment generated a lot of attention from some notable African world champions of past and present, including Kamaru Usman, and of course, Israel Adesanya.
Following Du Plessis’ shocking second-round knockout of Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, Adesanya was quick to jump in the Octagon and engaged in a racially-charged staredown with the new number-one ranked middleweight.
Making light of the situation during an appearance on the Overdogs podcast, Jon Jones was asked who he believes is the best African fighter. The choices are Israel Adesanya, South African contender Dricus Du Plessis, and ‘Platinum’ Mikey Perry.
Yes, that Mike Perry.
“The real n*gga himself. Mike Perry,” Jones responded with a laugh.
Obviously, it was Jon Jones just having a little fun at the expense of Adesanya and his budding rivalry with Du Plessis, but for Mike Perry, it was nothing more than real recognizing real.
“Real recognize real, shout out to the goat @JonnyBones,” Perry responded while sharing the video clip.
Real recognize real, shout out to the goat @JonnyBones pic.twitter.com/dcnFRbw5Zr
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) August 29, 2023
Initially, Adesanya was slated to defend the middleweight title against Du Plessis at UFC 293 on September 9. However, ‘Stillknocks’ was unable to make the quick turnaround, paving the way for the always-controversial Sean Strickland to step in and claim his first crack at the title. The pair will headline the promotion’s return to The Land Down Under while Du Plessis awaits the winner.
Meanwhile, Jon Jones is gearing up for his own return to the Octagon this November. ‘Bones’ is set to defend his title against general consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 when the promotion returns to the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.
