Israel Adesanya became the second Nigerian champion in Ultimate Fighting Championship history when he defeated Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC 236 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, April 13. Adesanya rallied in the fifth round to win the title, and afterwards he escalated his beef with light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
The two men have been going back-and-forth on social media and Adesanya responded to the latest comments during his appearance on The MMA Hour with Luke Thomas.
“Jon Jones, he literally just reminds me of what I’ve hated most in life, and that’s bullies,” Adesanya said. “I’ve had them through high school, coming up. Literally he’s a jock, he’s a cock, and he’s a c*nt He’s picking the right time. He’s a smart boy. He knows I’m a challenge. Jon Jones likes to look for challenges because there’s a reason. He’s started all this. He’s the one that came out openly (after UFC 234 in February) and called me out and said, ‘I’d like to fight Israel Adesanya.’
“He knows I’m a threat. But guess what, I’ve said this for so long: If you want to beat me, do it yesterday. Every f*cking fight I get better. I get better every fight. So if he wants to try to take me out early on when he knows I’m only a year in the UFC, and I’m still learning.”
You can listen to Israel Adesanya’s full comments below:
https://youtu.be/WyyF8db161s
UFC 236 Fighter Salaries
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwOLkqVnh2H/
Main Card (Pay-per-view)
- Dustin Poirier ($250,000 + no win bonus = $250,000) def. Max Holloway ($350,000)
- Israel Adesanya ($350,000 + no win bonus = $350,000) def. Kelvin Gastelum ($150,000)
- Khalil Rountree ($35,000 + $35,000 = $70,000) def. Eryk Anders ($50,000)
- Dwight Grant ($12,000 + $12,000 = $24,000) def. Alan Jouban ($43,000)
- Nikita Krylov ($80,000 + $80,000 = $160,000) def. Ovince Saint Preux ($86,000)
Preliminary Card (ESPN)
- Matt Frevola ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Jalin Turner ($12,000)
- Alexandre Pantoja ($18,000 + $18,000 = $36,000) def. Wilson Reis ($34,000)
- Max Griffin ($20,000 + $20,000 = $40,000) def. Zelim Imadaev ($10,000)
- Khalid Taha ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Boston Salmon ($10,000)
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
- Belal Muhammad ($35,000 + $35,000 = $70,000) def. Curtis Millender ($31,000)
- Montel Jackson ($12,000 + $12,000 = $24,000) def. Andre Soukhamthath ($22,000)
- Poliana Botelho ($25,000 + $25,000 = $50,000) def. Lauren Mueller ($12,000)
- Brandon Davis ($18,000 + $18,000 = $36,000) def. Randy Costa ($12,000)