Adesanya OK with February date for UFC ‘superfight’
Israel Adesanya’s camp are looking to fight for the UFC lightheavyweight title in February regardless if it clashes with Junior Fa’s heavyweight boxing showdown against Joseph Parker.
Prior to being stuck in the US due to New Zealand’s travel voucher system, Adesanya had initially delayed his return to the octagon to help City Kickboxing teammate Fa prepare for the biggest fight of his career.
However, the rescheduling of FaParker for either late February or early March has created another potential clash with middleweight king Adesanya’s bid to become a dual UFC champion against light-heavyweight title-holder Jan Blachowicz.
City Kickboxing trainer Eugene Bareman says they are pushing on with plans to meet Blachowicz in February, with the final date ultimately hinging on negotiations with the UFC and Blachowicz’s team, who want the fight in March.
‘‘I’m not sure of the Junior Fa fight date, but I possibly think there might be a clash of dates. But it is what it is. We just want to get these fights up and going,’’ Bareman said.
While Adesanya is focused on Blachowicz, victory over the Polish powerhouse could set up a grudge match against bitter rival Jon Jones.
Jones, the former long-time light-heavyweight champion, has been bulking up for his impending switch to heavyweight, which throws open the possibility of Adesanya moving up two divisions in two bouts should the fight go ahead.
Meanwhile, another City Kickboxing fighter, Dan Hooker, is eager to test himself against Conor McGregor if the UFC superstar is serious about being active in 2021.
At the beginning of the year McGregor spoke about putting together a ‘‘season’’ of fights, plans which were derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic and issues with the UFC.
But with McGregor returning to the octagon in January against Dustin Poirier, Bareman urged his management to start lining up future opponents, starting with Hooker, who is ranked one place below the Irish lightweight at No 5.
‘‘Dan Hooker will fight anybody, anytime, on the drop of a dime. We’ve proven that,’’ Bareman said.
‘‘Let’s be a part of Conor McGregor’s season. Tim Simpson, make it happen, wherever you are.
‘‘I’m not sure where you are right now in the world, but we would like to fight Conor McGregor. Maybe not next, because he has Poirier, but we are a willing participant.
‘‘If you’re gonna talk about your season, then we will step in and be a part of your season, graciously. We’re happy to do that, with respect.’’