UFC

Daniel Cormier believes only one Heavyweight can fight Israel Adesanya standing up

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Daniel Cormier claimed Israel Adesanya would be a problem for all Heavyweight stars barring Francis Ngannou

Israel Adesanya vs Jon Jones is one of those fights that get teased but the chances of that happening aren’t great.

Jones has moved up to the UFC Heavyweight division while Adesanya is the Middleweight champion.

Israel Adesanya kicks Paulo Costa in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

That hasn’t stopped both stars to go on a social media war in recent weeks. However, Daniel Cormier believed that Adesanya could defeat Jones based on current form.

He was speaking to Helen Yee at Fight Island and added that Adesanya’s kickboxing abilities would cause problems to almost everyone in the Heavyweight division right down to the Middleweight one:

“Adesanya, if he is able to keep this fight standing, which he has proven to be able to do, is not only a problem for Jon Jones but all the way up to Heavyweight and Stipe Miocic.

“If he has to stand with Israel Adesanya, from Heavyweight down to 185, it is a problem because he is that good.

“He is that good in striking and now he is striking with four-ounce gloves. He is a dangerous guy for everybody.”

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Not dangerous for Ngannou

However, Cormier quickly changed his statement regarding all those who Adesanya could dominate.

DC wanted to name on Heavyweight that was the exception to all this and called out Francis Ngannou.

Francis Ngannou (R) of Cameroon misses a punch against Jair Rozenstruik of Suriname in their Heavyweight fight during UFC 249 (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Ngannou is known for his incredible punching power and even though DC never faced him, the former champion had some glowing praise for The Predator:

“Maybe not Francis, Francis is knocking people’s head’s off. Maybe not Francis but all the rest of the heavyweights got their hands full even with Adesanya.”

Ngannou is the man who should get a title shot against Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and the 34-year-old has 11 knock-outs from his 15 MMA victories.

Adesanya moving up to Heavyweight might not happen. However, a catchweight clash against Jones was a possibility that Cormier spoke about.

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Saiyed Adeem Karim

Ditching a corporate job to follow a dream isn't easy, but when football comes calling, who can say no? Been following the beautiful game since 1998. Liverpool addict, F1 fanatic!