UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones checked out the bout and says Silva’s stock rose, despite the loss.
“That loss against Israel I think was great for his stock,” Jones told MMA Junkie. “As an Anderson Silva fan, would I like to see him get his hand raised? Absolutely. But hats off to Israel for being so exciting and keeping the fans excited and having his own torch. As an Anderson Silva fan, that’s exactly what we want to see. That was so beautiful. I’m so proud of him.”
Silva has now won just one of his last seven and the former champion hasn’t won a bout in over two years.
Jones is also proud of Silva for how he performed against a much younger opponent in Adesanya.
“I’m so proud of Anderson in his last fight,” Jones said. “He did so well. I am so proud of him. He has nothing to be ashamed about. He went against a young, hungry challenger, and he just proved his greatness. That performance, to me, was nothing short of great. To go in a stand-up battle against Israel at Anderson’s age and with the injury he experienced, that just proves his greatness. He’s amazing.”
UFC 235 takes place on Saturday, March 2 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Jon Jones and Anthony Smith headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
