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40 SPORTS AWEMainta Diamars, 17 October 2023
Jon Jones Extends Support to
Israel Adesanya’s UFC Hiatus
UFC’S heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, has offered heart- his intense battle with Dominick Reyes in 2020. During his
felt support to fellow fighter Israel Adesanya after Adesanya break, he moved up to a different weight division and has
announced his decision to take a break from the octagon returned in impressive form.
following his recent defeat. The relationship between Adesanya and Jones has been
characterized by rivalry and verbal sparring. They even
Israel Adesanya, a two-time middleweight champion, shared teased the possibility of fighting each other in the octagon.
his plans to step away from the fight game for a significant However, their relationship took a different turn as they seem-
period. He emphasized that he isn’t retiring but feels the ingly buried the hatchet in July and have since supported
need to take time off. Adesanya’s decision came in the wake each other.
of his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September.
The support and camaraderie between Adesanya and Jones
Having had a successful career that included holding the demonstrate the respect and understanding that fighters
title for 14 months with four title fights, Adesanya believes have for the physical and mental toll of their profession.
he’s at a stage in his career where he needs to recuperate. Adesanya’s decision to prioritize his well-being and mental
He expressed his desire to return stronger after taking the health is an important reminder of the importance of self-
time he needs to heal both physically and mentally. care and recuperation in a demanding sport like mixed
In response to Adesanya’s decision, Jon Jones, known for martial arts.
his own break from fighting, extended his support. Jones
acknowledged that taking time off can be a wise and benefi- As Israel Adesanya embarks on his well-deserved hiatus,
cial choice. He praised Adesanya for putting his well-being the UFC community and fans will be eager to see the
first and encouraged him to protect his heart, mind, and “Stylebender” return to the octagon stronger and more
spirit. determined than ever. In the world of combat sports, taking
time to heal and reflect can lead to remarkable comebacks
Jon Jones himself took a lengthy hiatus from the sport after and renewed success.
