Earlier this month, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya failed in his attempt to move up to light heavyweight and claim a second title, losing a unanimous decision to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. Following his defeat, fans lamented the loss of the potential Adesanya-JonJones superfight that the UFC was ostensibly building towards; however, earlier this week, Adesanya insisted that the feud was not over. Well, Jon Jones disagrees.

In an interview with ESPN, Adesanya told Jones to “take your little victory lap, because you’re one of those people that likes to take joy in another man’s demise,” and Thursday, Jones responded to the interview, seemingly doing just that.

Jones and Adesanya having been beefing for well over a year now. What initially started as both men stating in interviews that they would be interested in fighting one another some day, quickly turned personal and the feud grew from there.

Jones began lobbying for a fight with Adesanya when “The Last Stylebender” won the middleweight belt but Adesanya stated he wanted to defend his title a few times before making the move up to 205 pounds. Ultimately, Jones ended up vacating his own title to move up to heavyweight but that face seemingly didn’t bother Adesanya, who planned to win the light heavyweight title and then pursue Jones up to heavyweight. The loss to Blachowicz has, at least for now, halted those plans. Instead, Adesanya is plans to return to the middleweight division and defend his title again, while UFC President Dana White has said that Jones will get a heavyweight title shot against the winner of Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou II.

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TOP STORIES

Official. Dana White confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov officially retired, no longer pursuing possible return.

Statement. Khabib Nurmagomedov issues statement following retirement confirmation.

Vacancy. Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira to determine new lightweight champion at UFC 262.

Appeal. Junior Dos Santos appeals UFC 256 loss to Ciryl Gane with Nevada Athletic Commission.

Boxing. Mike Tyson wants to ‘go all out’ in boxing return: ‘I want to do it again’.

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VIDEO STEW

Between the Links.

UFC Vegas 22 Virtual Media Day.

Best finishes from UFC Vegas 22 fighters.

Watch party. This is cool.

Pitbull’s journey to the featherweight title.

Usman on TMZ.

Pudz vs. Bob Sapp because why not?

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LISTEN UP

UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Derek Brunson and Don’Tale Mayes.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Respect.

Chandler.

Usman.

Durinho.

Beef.

Interesting.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ricardo Ramos (14-3) vs. Bill Algeo (14-5); UFC Vegas 24, Apr. 17.

Cory Sandhagen (14-2) vs. T.J. Dillashaw (16-4); UFC Fight Night, May 8.

Cody Garbrandt (12-3) vs. Rob Font (18-4); UFC Fight Night, May 22.

Charles Oliveira (30-8) vs. Michael Chandler (22-5); UFC 262, May 15.

Lara Procopio (7-1) vs. Casey O’Neill (6-0); UFC Fight Night, June 19.

Anthony Hernandez (8-2) vs. Punahele Soriano (8-0); UFC Fight Night, June 26.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Well, it took four months but the UFC (Dana White) finally accepted that they won’t be able to bring Khabib back. Good for him, a shame for us.

Thanks for reading, enjoy the fights, and see y’all on Monday.

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EXIT POLL

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