Adesanya responds to Jones: 'He's jealous'
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is getting tired of hearing his name come out of Jon Jones' mouth.
Adesanya, who retained his title with a second-round TKO of Paulo Costa last weekend at UFC 253, said Tuesday he believes Jones constantly talks about him and calls him out due to envy.
"He needs me," Adesanya told ESPN's Ariel Helwani. "I've said this before: He's jealous. He saw this young Black guy, this freshman, come up and do all the things he wishes he could've done."
He added: "I've been there before, so I can see it in other people. ... I (said before), 'He's jealous of me,' because I'm getting all the shine he wishes he has, I'm getting all the attention he wishes he has."
After Adesanya beat Costa and remained noncommittal to a move up to the light heavyweight division, Jones said the 31-year-old doesn't want "real confrontation" with him. The former 205-pound champion added that he would tear off one of Adesanya's arms in a fight.
"He's the one saying something about like, 'Oh, you need me, you keep mentioning my name.' Who's the one that's been talking about who?" Adesanya said. "Come on."
Adesanya made it clear what he wants from Jones.
"I'm going to address him now," Adesanya said. "Hey Jon, shut the f--- up forever."