Daniel Cormier: Jon Jones would be in trouble striking with Israel Adesanya, but size matters
Daniel Cormier is interested in seeing newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya move up to light heavyweight to challenge Jon Jones.
Before that fight happens, though, Cormier would encourage Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) to put focus on adding size if he’s going to step in the octagon with Jones (25-1 MMA, 19-1 UFC).
After taking the 185-pound belt from Robert Whittaker on Saturday at UFC 243, Adesanya said his focus is on defending his title against Paulo Costa. The floodgates for cross-division opportunities could open after that, though, and Jones would be near the top of the list of potential matchups after their feud flared up again during fight week.
Should it happen, Cormier said size would definitely be a cause for concern on Adesanya’s side.
“He’s just small,” Cormier said on ESPN’s UFC 243 wrap-up show. “He’s just small for Jones. Jones is a big guy, and I think people underestimate how big he is when he grabs you because he’s so big up top. They make fun of how small his legs are, but he’s 225 (pounds). But a lot of the weight is on top, and it’s almost like he hangs on you. It’s like a towel when you’re in the clinch, and I think Izzy may struggle with that because Jones is so big.”
Prior to UFC 243, company president Dana White endorsed the idea of a fight between Adesanya and Jones if “The Last Stylebender” came out with a win against Whittaker. It doesn’t appear as if that fight will be next, but the building blocks are coming together for it to happen.
Cormier, who has fought Jones twice and said he’s discussed training with Adesanya in the past, is a fan of the potential matchup. He said it would be compelling if it was a standup fight. However, he reiterated size would be a problem for Adesanya unless he alters his physique ahead of the contest.
“I would not mind watching them fight because if Jones has to stand with this guy, he’s in trouble,” Cormier said. “Jones is very hittable. But Izzy needs to get a lot bigger if he’s going to fight this guy.”