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Tag: Israel Adesanya

  • Robert Whittaker Says Israel Adesanya Needs to Rediscover His Hunger After Career-Worst Losing Streak

    Robert Whittaker Says Israel Adesanya Needs to Rediscover His Hunger After Career-Worst Losing Streak

    Robert Whittaker has weighed in on Israel Adesanya’s four-fight losing streak and offered his take on what needs to change for the former champion to find his way back. Adesanya knocked out Whittaker at UFC 243 in 2019 to unify the championship, and the pair ran it back at UFC 271 in 2022 with Adesanya winning a competitive decision. Now, Whittaker is preparing to move up to light heavyweight, while Adesanya is in the worst form of his career following a loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle.

    Whittaker broke down what he believes went wrong in the Pyfer fight, pointing to a specific sequence that may have sent Adesanya into survival mode at the worst possible moment.

    “Much like anybody else’s, it was confusion at first because Izzy was doing so well. So well,” Whittaker said. “But I think ultimately one of the shots that landed in that last sequence hurt him to a degree where he kind of went on autopilot and took the fight into a range and into a mess that Pyfer really is good at, he loves being in. I think one of the shots is what put Izzy into that autopilot kind of zone where he didn’t make the most accurate reads. He’s much better at distance.”

    Beyond the tactical breakdown, Whittaker pointed to something deeper as the real issue facing Adesanya at this stage of his career.

    “It is what it is. I think he needs to find that hunger. It’s easy to say, it’s just he may be a little comfortable at the moment. He’s got money, he’s reached the top of the mountain, he’s done everything, he’s ticked every box. What is there he needs to achieve anymore? He needs to find that. He needs to find that drive to continue doing what he’s doing, to continue to light that fire, that hunger, and that love for the game.”

    Adesanya, who turns 37 in July, has given no indication he plans to retire despite having no clear path back to title contention. Whittaker made clear he supports whatever direction his rival and training partner chooses.

    “If he wants to press on, I’m 100 percent with him,” Whittaker said. “I love working with him and I’d love to see his journey continue and I’d love to see him get back up there. You know what’s crazy? I saw in the rankings, we were side by side again, which is something I haven’t seen for a while. I’d love to be a part of that, but ultimately I want to see him just get that love for the game, get that love for the craft, and love for contact and conflict back. Find the drive.”

    The two have formed a genuine working partnership in recent years, with Whittaker traveling regularly to Adesanya’s City Kickboxing Gym in New Zealand as he prepares for his move to 205 pounds. Carlos Ulberg and undefeated prospect Navajo Stirling have been part of those sessions.

    “I kicked off this year at CKB,” Whittaker said. “I jumped over the gap to New Zealand and spent some time with Izzy and Carlos and the boys and Navajo, great tall bodies, just getting used to the hype difference. They were so receptive of me and honestly I can’t wait to go back.”

    Whittaker does not yet have an opponent set for his light heavyweight debut and shot down reports linking him to former champion Magomed Ankalaev.

  • Kamaru Usman: Israel Adesanya Still Has Skills, But Must Master Certain Issue

    Kamaru Usman: Israel Adesanya Still Has Skills, But Must Master Certain Issue

    Kamaru Usman believes Israel Adesanya still has the technical ability to compete at the highest level, but the former middleweight champion needs to overcome a mental battle to return to winning ways. Adesanya is currently on a four-fight losing streak following his loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle this past Saturday.

    Speaking on his Pound-4-Pound podcast, Usman addressed his longtime friend’s recent struggles. The former welterweight champion sees a fighter who still displays brilliance but struggles when facing adversity inside the cage.

    “I’m a fan of Israel’s, and as a spectator, as well, I see it from that perspective. But I also see it as a fighter who has been in a situation like this,” Usman said. “And God, it’s difficult, because he still has it. You can see it. He can still twitch you and land and chop you up, to where I think, when you’re in a situation like this, it’s almost impossible not to doubt yourself.”

    The Mental Challenge of Losing Streaks

    Usman explained how self-doubt creeps in after falling from championship status. He contrasted the mindset of a rising contender with that of a former champion on a losing streak, noting the psychological toll of consecutive defeats.

    “When you’re on the way up, and you’re young, you’re just, ‘Next one, next one, next one.’ You’re consistently just going in there and doing it and being victorious. You don’t have time to doubt yourself,” Usman explained. “But when you’ve been to the top, and now you’re rolling back down, you start to doubt yourself while you’re rolling back down. Do I still have it? Can I still do it? Am I still that good? So, you have to find some way to anchor yourself and turn the boat around.”

    Usman pointed to specific moments in the Pyfer fight where Adesanya showed his technical prowess. He noted a body kick and knee strike that nearly finished the fight, demonstrating that the skills remain intact despite the results.

    Drawing From Personal Experience

    Usman’s perspective comes from personal experience with adversity. Like Adesanya, he recorded five title defenses as a UFC champion before losing his belt and dropping three consecutive fights. He rebounded with a victory over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta last year.

    “It’s just a few things throughout the course of that fight,” Usman said. “You see the brilliance. You see, when he switched stances and kicked the body, he measured, he measured, found that knee that was an inch off. A little bit more with that knee, fight’s over, Pyfer’s gone. So, he shows that brilliance, it’s still there, but when you start to face resistance, especially a guy as powerful as Pyfer, and he starts to hit you really, really hard, and you take those shots, can you anchor yourself and say, ‘You know what, I still got what it takes. Let me get back to the game plan. Let me use this fight IQ here and let me win.’”

    Usman emphasized that only Adesanya can determine whether he can overcome the mental obstacles. The physical skills and fight IQ remain present, but the ability to stay composed under fire will determine his future success.

    “But the only person who can answer that is Izzy. Can he still anchor himself? Can he still find that? Because he still has the skills. He’s still sharp. He can still put combinations together,” Usman concluded.

  • Adesanya Drops From Middleweight Top 5 After Fourth Straight Loss

    Adesanya Drops From Middleweight Top 5 After Fourth Straight Loss

    The former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has been removed from the UFC’s middleweight top five rankings following his second-round TKO loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle, ending a seven-year streak in the division’s elite tier.

    ‘The Last Stylebender’ suffered his fourth consecutive defeat this past weekend, marking a significant turning point in his career trajectory. Unlike his previous three losses, which came against fellow top contenders, Adesanya’s latest setback was against rising prospect Pyfer.

    Ranking Implications

    Adesanya hasn’t won a fight since April 2023. Despite his recent losses to elite competition, he maintained his top-five status in the 185-pound division. However, the defeat to Pyfer carried different weight as it came against an unranked opponent looking to break into title contention.

    The ranking drop represents the most significant impact on Adesanya’s standing since his championship reign ended. Despite many observers feeling he was performing well in the early stages of the fight, the second-round finish ultimately sealed his fate in the updated rankings.

    Career Context

    Adesanya has already established himself as one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history, with memorable performances throughout his championship runs. The former titleholder produced numerous highlight-reel moments during his peak years in the division.

    Following the tough result at UFC Seattle, Adesanya has indicated he has no plans to step away from competition despite the recent struggles. The loss to Pyfer marks a clear inflection point where the former champion now faces rising contenders rather than established elite fighters.

    The ranking adjustment reflects the UFC’s assessment that Adesanya’s position among the division’s top tier can no longer be maintained following the loss to an unranked opponent, regardless of his previous accomplishments in the middleweight division.

  • Francis Ngannou ‘Heartbroken’ Watching Israel Adesanya Lose to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle

    Francis Ngannou ‘Heartbroken’ Watching Israel Adesanya Lose to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle

    Francis Ngannou was visibly distraught after watching his longtime friend Israel Adesanya suffer a second-round knockout defeat to Joe Pyfer in the UFC Seattle main event. The former heavyweight champion took to Instagram to share his emotional reaction to Adesanya’s fourth consecutive defeat.

    “Watching Izzy’s fight last night, [I] was heartbroken,” Ngannou posted on Instagram. “It reminds you how ungrateful this sport is.”

    Adesanya Started Strong Before Knockout Loss

    The former middleweight champion seemed to be finding his rhythm early in the fight against Pyfer. He showcased his trademark accuracy and power, landing clean shots on his opponent during the striking exchanges.

    However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Pyfer managed to drag the fight to the ground. After initially looking for a submission, Pyfer transitioned to ground-and-pound, flattening out Adesanya and unleashing a barrage of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight in the second round.

    Ngannou Reflects on Sport’s Unforgiving Nature

    Ngannou’s reaction highlights the harsh reality of mixed martial arts, where even former champions can quickly fall from grace. The Cameroonian fighter, who has experienced his own ups and downs in combat sports, understands the mental toll such losses can take.

    “He looked sharp. He looked very sharp,” Ngannou said afterwards. “After the first round, I’m like oh we get this, this is good, he’s back. But man, sometimes we plan but God has other plans. I can only imagine how tough Izzy is to come back out of it. To rebound.”

    Adesanya made no excuses following the defeat, but Ngannou admitted it was difficult to process his friend’s continued struggles. The loss marked Adesanya’s fourth straight defeat, a stark contrast from his days as the dominant middleweight king.

    The friendship between Ngannou and Adesanya has been well-documented, with both fighters supporting each other throughout their respective careers. Ngannou’s emotional response demonstrates the genuine bonds among fighters who understand the unique pressures of competing at the highest level.

  • Israel Adesanya Shuts Down Retirement Talk After Brutal TKO Loss To Joe Pyfer At UFC Seattle – ‘I’ll Always Remain Undefeated’

    Israel Adesanya Shuts Down Retirement Talk After Brutal TKO Loss To Joe Pyfer At UFC Seattle – ‘I’ll Always Remain Undefeated’

    Israel Adesanya has firmly brushed aside any retirement speculation after suffering another emphatic stoppage defeat.

    Last Saturday, Adesanya returned from a year-long layoff to headline UFC Seattle against No. 14-ranked Joe Pyfer at Climate Pledge Arena in Washington.

    While “The Last Stylebender” showed flashes of sharpness early on, Pyfer’s relentless pressure gradually took over, leading to a TKO loss in the second round.

    The loss extends Adesanya’s skid to four straight defeats, with his last three coming by way of stoppage, including setbacks to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia in February 2025 and Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in August 2024. Despite the rough run, the former middleweight champion remains in good spirits and has no intention of stepping away from the sport.

    Israel Adesanya’s Response to Retirement Questions

    During his Octagon interview with Daniel Cormier at UFC Seattle, Israel Adesanya was pressed on the possibility of retirement amid the most challenging stretch of his career.

    The Nigerian-born Kiwi swiftly brushed aside the notion, exuding confidence as he vowed to keep pushing forward and emerge stronger from adversity.

    “You keep going. Again, and again, and again, and again, and again,” Adesanya said. “I’m not f*king leaving. You’ll never stop me. I might get beat, but I’ll always remain undefeated.”

    Adesanya, once the architect of a nine-fight winning streak and a two-time UFC middleweight titleholder, with notable victories over Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori, now finds himself 1-5 in his last six Octagon outings.

    The 36-year-old carries a professional record of 24-6, including a 13-6 run inside the UFC.

  • Joe Pyfer Takes Down, Finishes Israel Adesanya At UFC Seattle

    Joe Pyfer may have elevated himself into the UFC middleweight title picture, scoring the biggest win of his career by defeating former champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Seattle.

    Pyfer appeared to get off to a head start, scoring a body lock on Adesanya, and holding him for a little bit, before landing a quick combination that snapped Adesanya’s head back. The two traded hard shots, with Adesanya landing a knee and Pyfer landing a hook and a takedown late in the round.

    Adesanya did a strong job with leg kicks, but Pyfer continued to pursue the takedowns, locking up Adesanya a couple of times. The two traded with bad intentions, and Pyfer appeared to trouble Adesanya near the fence before scoring a takedown.

    Pyfer managed to get into mount and locked Adesanya up in a body triangle, searching for a choke. While he didn’t get that, Pyfer was able to flatten Adesanya out and land ground-and-pound for the TKO win.

    Joe Pyfer Finishes Israel Adesanya At UFC Seattle

    Pyfer has now won four straight and is 7-1 in the UFC since famously earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Adesanya has now lost four straight and five of his last six since dropping the middleweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 281, getting finished in three of these bouts.

  • UFC Seattle Results: Adesanya vs Pyfer Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Seattle Results: Adesanya vs Pyfer Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Seattle results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. The main event will feature a middleweight bout between Israel Adesanya and Joe Pyfer. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer – Middleweight Main Event

    Adesanya, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion, is competing for the first time since getting finished by Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia last year. It was the second time Adesanya has been finished in MMA — and the first time he was knocked out before the fifth round.

    Adesanya, once undefeated in the sport, has lost four of five since dropping the middleweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Though Adesanya regained it at UFC 287, he dropped the title in upset fashion to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and failed to regain it against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.

    Pyfer has won three straight and eight of his last nine. He is 6-1 in the Octagon since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022. He enters this fight off a submission of Abus Magomedov at UFC 320.

    The co-main event will also feature a former champion, as former women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso takes on Maycee Barber. This is a rematch from UFC 258 in 2021, a fight that saw Grasso take a decision over Barber.

    Grasso enters this fight off a loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 315 last year. It was Grasso’s first fight since her championship trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko. Barber, meanwhile, has won seven straight since the loss, most recently being a decision over Karine Silva at UFC 323.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Seattle!

    How to Watch UFC Seattle

    • Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
    • Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT
    • Main Card: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    UFC Seattle Quick Results

    • Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer — Joe Pyfer def. Israel Adesanya via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:18)
    • Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber — Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber via KO (Rd. 1, 2:42)
    • Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price — Michael Chiesa def. Niko Price via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 1:03)
    • Julian Erosa vs. Lerryan Douglas — Lerryan Douglas def. Julian Erosa via KO (Rd. 1, 3:33)
    • Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui — Yousri Belgaroui def. Mansur Abdul-Malik via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:39)
    • Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson — Terrance McKinney def. Kyle Nelson via KO (Rd. 1, 0:24)

    UFC Seattle Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Women’s Strawweight: Alexia Thainara vs. Bruna Brasil

    Result: Alexia Thainara def. Bruna Brasil via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Bantamweight: Ricky Simon vs. Adrian Yanez

    Result: Ricky Simon def. Adrian Yanez via majority draw (29-28, 28-28 x2)

    Light Heavyweight: Navajo Stirling vs. Bruno Lopes

    Result: Navajo Stirling def. Bruno Lopes via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:05)

    Women’s Flyweight: Casey O’Neill vs. Gabriella Fernandes

    Result: Casey O’Neill def. Gabriella Fernandes via TKO (Rd. 1, 3:11)

    Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Tyrell Fortune

    Result: Tyrell Fortune def. Marcin Tybura via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Lance Gibson Jr.

    Result: Lance Gibson Jr. def. Chase Hooper via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:56)

    Lightweight: Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Tofiq Musayev

    Result: Tofiq Musayev def. Ignacio Bahamondes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson

    Result: Terrance McKinney def. Kyle Nelson via KO (Rd. 1, 0:24)

    Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui

    Result: Yousri Belgaroui def. Mansur Abdul-Malik via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:39)

    Featherweight: Julian Erosa vs. Lerryan Douglas

    Result: Lerryan Douglas def. Julian Erosa via KO (Rd. 1, 3:33)

    Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price

    Result: Michael Chiesa def. Niko Price via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 1:03)

    Women’s Flyweight: Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber

    Result: Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber via KO (Rd. 1, 2:42)

    Middleweight: Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer

    Result: Joe Pyfer def. Israel Adesanya via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:18)

  • Israel Adesanya Says Coaches Have Ruined His Question Mark Kick

    Israel Adesanya Says Coaches Have Ruined His Question Mark Kick

    Israel Adesanya believes coaches have helped take away one of his best weapons ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC Seattle.

    The former two-time middleweight champion headlines Saturday night’s card against rising contender Joe Pyfer at the Climate Pledge Arena in his first fight in over a year. Adesanya is coming off a three-fight losing streak, but he remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFC.

    However, ‘The Last Stylebender’ admits he’s been forced to rearrange his striking arsenal due to opponents and their coaches studying his signature technique.

    Question Mark Kick No Longer Surprising Opponents

    Adesanya revealed that his question mark kick, once a devastating weapon in his arsenal, has lost its effectiveness as coaches have learned to prepare their fighters for the technique.

    “I do my thing but I also have to switch it up because my question mark kick isn’t landing the way it used to because all these c—- know when it’s coming. Their coaches warn them outside the cage,” Adesanya told UFC.com during fight week while doing a frustrated impression of his reaction to the coaches’ instructions.

    “I’ve switched up my game. I’ve tweaked things up and revised old moves.”

    The question mark kick has been a staple of Adesanya’s striking game throughout his UFC career, helping him become one of the most feared middleweights in the division. The deceptive technique starts as a leg kick before transitioning into a head kick, often catching opponents off guard.

    Adapting Game Plan for UFC Seattle

    Despite needing to adapt his approach, Adesanya has promised an aggressive performance against Pyfer. The former champion successfully made weight on Friday and appears confident that his recent losses won’t impact his mindset entering the fight.

    Adesanya has been honest about needing to tweak elements of his game following his championship losses. The Nigerian-born fighter last competed in September 2023, giving him over a year to analyze and adjust his fighting style.

    Pyfer enters the bout ranked No. 14 in the middleweight division with a 15-3 record, representing a significant step up in competition for the rising contender. A victory over the former champion would immediately thrust him into title contention.

    UFC Seattle takes place Saturday night at the Climate Pledge Arena, with Adesanya looking to halt his losing streak and re-establish himself as a force in the middleweight division.

  • Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer Headlines UFC Fight Night in Seattle on March 28

    Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer Headlines UFC Fight Night in Seattle on March 28

    The UFC has officially announced a marquee middleweight clash for the Pacific Northwest: Israel Adesanya will face Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Fight Night 271: Adesanya vs. Pyfer on Saturday, March 28, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. The card streams live on Paramount+.

    Adesanya (24-5), the two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, looks to snap a brutal three-fight losing skid and reassert himself among the division’s elite. The Nigerian-New Zealander known as “The Last Stylebender” made history during his first title reign with five consecutive successful defenses, and reclaimed the belt in spectacular fashion with a second-round knockout of Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in April 2023.

    Since then, however, the wheels have come off: he dropped the title to Sean Strickland by unanimous decision at UFC 293, was submitted by Dricus du Plessis in a championship rematch at UFC 305, and was stopped by TKO just 30 seconds into round two by Nassourdine Imavov at a UFC Fight Night in Riyadh in February 2025. A strong performance in Seattle could go a long way toward turning the page on that difficult stretch and putting him back in the title conversation.

    Standing across from him is the surging Joe Pyfer (15-3), one of the most exciting young talents in the 185-pound division. Nicknamed “Bodybagz” for good reason, Pyfer has racked up nine knockout victories and four Performance of the Night bonuses in his UFC tenure, quickly building a reputation as one of middleweight’s most dangerous finishers. Currently ranked No. 15 in the division, a statement win over a legend like Adesanya would be the biggest result of his career and could vault him into the upper tier of the rankings.

    UFC Fight Night 271: Adesanya vs. Pyfer takes place March 28 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and airs live on Paramount+. The full fight card is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

    UFC Fight Night Seattle
  • Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer, Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber Announced For UFC Seattle

    Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer, Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber Announced For UFC Seattle

    UFC Seattle’s headliner will see a former middleweight champion attempt to prove he is still a top talent in the division, while a rising star looks to make his biggest stride toward a future title shot.

    Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will face Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle, which takes place on March 28 at the Climate Pledge Arena.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White confirmed the news in an announcement on Instagram Live.

    Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer Headlines UFC Seattle On March 28

    This fight is perhaps a must-win for Adesanya, who enters with three straight losses and four defeats in his last five fights. Adesanya, a former two-time champion, has not recovered since losing the title to Sean Strickland in one of the UFC’s biggest upsets at UFC 293.

    Adesanya was knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia last February, marking the first time he was finished in a non-title fight.

    Pyfer has risen up the UFC’s middleweight ranks since coming into the promotion off his known 2022 Dana White’s Contender Series appearance. Pyfer is 6-1 in the Octagon, most recently submitting Abus Magomedov at UFC 320 in October.

    The UFC Seattle co-main event will see Alexa Grasso facing off with Maycee Barber. This will be a rematch from UFC 258, which saw Grasso take a unanimous decision.

    Grasso is winless in her last three fights, which include the latter two fights in her women’s flyweight title trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko. Grasso comes into this fight off a loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 315 this past May.

    Barber has won seven straight since losing to Grasso. After medical issues kept her away from the Octagon for nearly two years, Barber defeated Karine Silva at UFC 323.

  • Jack Della Maddalena will finish Islam Makhachev, says Israel Adesanya

    Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya believes Jack Della Maddalena will knock Islam Makhachev out in the main event of UFC 322.

    On Saturday night, Jack Della Maddalena will defend his UFC welterweight championship against Islam Makhachev. While Islam is considered to be the favorite by many, JDM has been on an incredible run in the last few years, culminating in him defeating Belal Muhammad to become the new champion at 170 pounds.

    Of course, Jack Della Maddalena himself will likely admit that this is one of the toughest tests available in the welterweight division, and that he will have to be at the top of his game if he’s going to come out with the victory.

    In a recent video, Israel Adesanya backed Jack Della Maddalena to get the job done in New York City.

    Israel Adesanya’s prediction for Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

    “I’m not trying to count Islam out, but I just know Jack. I know that when Jack keeps getting up, it’s going to be a problem,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “Islam’s going to be forced to strike, and when he’s forced to strike with Jack, he’s going to get hurt. I think Islam’s the best of the Dagestanis, one of the best fighters in history, one of the most efficient, but even Dustin was able to get up and stop his submissions, and Dustin’s a f*cking gun.

    “I’ve seen it live what Volkanovski can do with Islam when they were in Perth. That’s why I know he’s going to hurt Islam. Jack Della, I don’t see him getting hurt, I’ve never seen him get stopped. …I do think Islam will be able to get him down, but for how long? Not for long. He’s going to get stuffed from the beginning, in the middle, until Jack ends it.”

    “I really think Jack Della Maddalena has the skills to stifle Islam’s game and just put it on the feet, and knock him out,” Adesanya said. “Might be second round, might be third, but we’ll see.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Israel Adesanya reveals his hatred for Joaquin Buckley

    Israel Adesanya reveals his hatred for Joaquin Buckley

    UFC legend Israel Adesanya revealed his hatred for Joaquin Buckley during his recent UFC Atlanta reaction video.

    As we know, Israel Adesanya is pretty close friends with Kamaru Usman. Therefore, it makes sense that he was watching and supporting him during Saturday night’s UFC Atlanta main event. While it was great to see him getting behind his fellow African champion, he also had a few less than pleasant things to say about Joaquin Buckley.

    As we know, Buckley has a tendency to be pretty loud and out there – especially when it comes to trash talk. In the aforementioned video, Israel Adesanya didn’t hold back when telling the world what he thought of the welterweight contender.

    Israel Adesanya voices hatred of Joaquin Buckley

    “I hate this n**** bro. I don’t use the word hate lightly, but I hate this n**** bro. Something about him just f***ing annoys me. Literally, I’m just tryna chill, talk. ‘Hey man you know we gotta get this going man, blah blah blah’, like he’s rapping to me. Every single time.”

    “At one point I just walked away while he was talking. Maybe I’m just a hater bro.”

    When it comes to ‘Stylebender’, he has his own decisions to make when it comes to his future. There’s a chance that he will continue battling middleweight contenders in the hope of making his way to a title shot, whereas others are of the belief that he will ride off into the sunset.

    Regardless of which camp you fall into, there’s no denying that Adesanya has had an unbelievable effect on the world of mixed martial arts – and soon, the same may be true of Joaquin Buckley.

  • Israel Adesanya Explains Strong Desire For Sean Strickland Rematch

    Israel Adesanya Explains Strong Desire For Sean Strickland Rematch

    Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has his sights on redemption against a familiar adversary next time out.

    Adesanya is currently riding a three-fight losing skid — a disappointing run that began with a shock decision defeat to Sean Strickland in Sydney two years ago.

    Against the odds and predictions of many, “Tarzan” dropped the then-champ early before comfortably outstriking him across five rounds. The title win went down as one of the promotion’s greatest upsets, and it was enough to net MMA News’ Performance of the Year award for 2023.

    The result brought the Nigerian-New Zealander’s sophomore title reign to a quick end and served as the catalyst for a break. He’s since returned to action and suffered stoppage losses to both Dricus Du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov.

    Despite some in the community calling for retirement, Adesanya was quick to dismiss that and outline the plan for his next fight — a rematch with Strickland.

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Adesanya explained why he’s so keen to run it back with the controversial American.

    “This time I am gonna come at him correct,” Adesanya said. “I used to get bullied a lot as a kid. He’s an embodiment of that, in the sense that he attacked young me, my inner child. So I want to get some get back for him.”

    Strickland most recently competed in a rematch, as he ran it back with champ Du Plessis in competition for the middleweight gold this past February.

    Having failed to regain the belt at UFC 312 in Sydney, “Tarzan” has some work to do against fellow contenders if he’s to reinsert his name into the championship conversation.

  • Yoel Romero Sends Former Opponent Israel Adesanya Advice Amid UFC Losing Skid

    Yoel Romero Sends Former Opponent Israel Adesanya Advice Amid UFC Losing Skid

    Former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero has laid out some words of wisdom for a struggling ex-foe of his.

    Israel Adesanya once ruled over the 185-pound division with an iron fist and surged toward legendary status on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. But he’s currently enduring the worst run of his career to date.

    “The Last Stylebender” has won just once since 2022, with four of his last five bouts ending in defeat. The Nigerian-New Zealander most recently made an unsuccessful return to non-title competition following losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. He was knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov at the UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia early last month.

    It remains to be seen what lies ahead for Adesanya. While some in the community have advised retirement, one face familiar to the Lagos-born star has outlined a potential path for the former champ to get back to his best.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Yoel Romero sent some advice the way of Adesanya, stressing the importance of rest and recovery.

    “Israel, he needed time, he needed rest,” Romero said. “That’s what I think. He needs to rest a little bit, because too much damage. The problem is, the UFC (doesn’t) give you time. When the UFC calls you, you need to come because you have a contract.

    “Now, he needs to think about training. Not too hard; not too hard in the sparring,” Romero continued. “He needs to go to training like a therapy; recovery for the body. He doesn’t need now too much sparring. That is my opinion for Israel. If he wants to be back again, he needs to recover the body. He’s still training very hard; it’s not good.”

    Adesanya defended the middleweight title against Romero at UFC 248 in early 2020. The highly anticipated clash turned out to be a lackluster contest across five rounds that was firmly overshadowed by the co-main event war between Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

    While “The Last Stylebender” looks to regain his winning form in the UFC, Romero is days away from his second fight for Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing Championship this weekend.

    “Soldier of God” is also expected to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the Global Fight League, though dates and venues for the new promotion’s first events remain undisclosed.

  • ‘What a Stupid Game We Play’ – Adesanya Reacts To Ankalaev’s Win Over Pereira

    ‘What a Stupid Game We Play’ – Adesanya Reacts To Ankalaev’s Win Over Pereira

    Israel Adesanya shared his live reaction to Magomed Ankalaev’s decision victory over Alex Pereira this past weekend at UFC 313, expressing surprise at the judges’ scorecards and questioning the fight’s outcome.

    “I had Alex winning… but I have to watch it again and score the fight properly,” Adesanya said during his YouTube reaction video. Like many fans, he appeared puzzled by the 49-46 score in favor of Ankalaev, especially given Pereira’s striking success.

    Adesanya acknowledged Ankalaev’s clinch work but wasn’t convinced it was enough to secure the win. “He dropped him, yeah… but the holding? He didn’t really do much with the holding.” Pereira’s aggressive striking seemed to impress Adesanya more, but he admitted the fight was competitive.

    Despite the controversial outcome, Adesanya believes a rematch is likely.

    “I think he’ll get a rematch… spin the block, we out.”

    Given Pereira’s standing in the division and UFC’s history of booking rematches for close fights, Adesanya’s prediction holds weight.

    In classic “Stylebender” fashion, Adesanya ended with a reflective take on the unpredictability of MMA:

    “What a stupid game we play—I f***ing love it.”

    With the controversy surrounding this fight, the debate will rage on, and all eyes will be on whether Pereira gets another shot at Ankalaev.

    Adesanya’s most recent fight was against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 on February 1, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which ended in a second-round knockout loss for the Stylebender. This marked Adesanya’s third consecutive loss, putting him at 1-4 in his past five bouts.

  • Watch Adesanya React To Magomed Ankalaev Nearly KO’ing Alex Pereira At UFC 313

    Watch Adesanya React To Magomed Ankalaev Nearly KO’ing Alex Pereira At UFC 313

    Israel Adesanya, a close observer of UFC 313 due to his storied rivalry-turned-friendship with Alex Pereira, strongly contested the judges’ scoring in “Poatan’s” defeat to Magomed Ankalaev.

    Pereira’s unanimous decision loss to Ankalaev prompted Adesanya to share his reaction on his YouTube channel. His main point of contention was the 49-46 scorecard, which he dismissed as “stupid,” while also expressing his continued passion for the sport.

    Adesanya’s scoring differed significantly from the official verdict by the judges. He believed the fight was tied 1-1 after the first two rounds, then awarded rounds three and five to Pereira, giving him a 3-2 edge overall. This discrepancy underscored his disagreement with the judges’ decision.

    “I had Alex winning, but I’m not sure,” Adesanya said of the Brazilian’s defeat to Magomed Ankalaev. “I’d have to watch it again and score the fight properly. Round two might have played a factor just because he dropped him, but then holding against the fence — I don’t really remember him getting any takedowns.

    “It was a competitive fight, back-and-forth,” Adesanya added. “They’re both going to level up, and I’m sure he’s going to get a rematch. Spin the block.”

    Given the controversial scoring and the close nature of the fight, Israel Adesanya believes an immediate rematch between Pereira and Ankalaev is a strong possibility. He pointed to Pereira’s past willingness to step in on short notice and headline major UFC events, such as UFC 300 and UFC 303, as a factor that could influence the UFC to grant him a second chance.

  • Israel Adesanya Warns Magomed Ankalaev Of ‘Painful’ Experience vs. Alex Pereira 

    Israel Adesanya Warns Magomed Ankalaev Of ‘Painful’ Experience vs. Alex Pereira 

    Israel Adesanya will be paying close attention to Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight title defense at UFC 313, which presents him with a formidable challenge against Magomed Ankalaev, a fighter riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak. 

    Given their extensive history across multiple combat sports, Adesanya possesses unparalleled insight into Pereira’s fighting style. Their relationship, now marked by cordiality, lends significant weight to the former middleweight king’s analysis of Pereira’s fights.

    Ankalaev’s diverse skillset is widely anticipated to test Pereira’s abilities to their limits. “Poatan,” however, heads into the fight with significant momentum, having successfully defended his title three times in 2024. A victory this weekend would solidify his place in history, making him the fastest light heavyweight champion to achieve four title defenses (within 329 days), surpassing Jon Jones’ record.

    Adesanya’s prediction for the UFC 313 main event is decisive: he doesn’t foresee the clash between Pereira and Ankalaev going the full five rounds. Instead, Adesanya anticipates a decisive finish.

    “Leg kicks. Let’s just address the f*cking elephant in the room,” Adesanya said. “That’s gonna be a factor in this fight. (Ankalaev) might have to become a wrestler in this fight. He might have to go into his bag for this one ’cause you can’t just (stand with Pereira).

    “Maybe I’m banking so much on the leg kicks. I have experience with it. I know how painful it is and how effective it is,” Adesanya continued. “Regardless, I’m gonna go Pereira ’cause momentum. He’s just on a tear right now. When you have that kind of frame and power, you just trust in your skillset so much.”

  • Israel Adesanya: I’m Not Expecting To Be The Champ Again, But I’m Not ‘Washed’

    Israel Adesanya: I’m Not Expecting To Be The Champ Again, But I’m Not ‘Washed’

    Much has been said about Israel Adesanya’s latest defeat — a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia. The setback marked the former two-time middleweight champion’s third consecutive defeat and has fueled widespread speculation about his future in the sport.

    “The Last Stylebender” finds himself outside of title contention for the first time in nearly seven years. At 35 years old, with over 100 professional combat sports bouts, and three stoppage losses in his last four defeats, some fans question whether Adesanya has peaked.

    However, he insists he’s taking a different approach to this unfamiliar territory.

    Adesanya admits his mindset has shifted following his recent losses, and he’s no longer focused on chasing the title.

    “After the DDP fight, I remember thinking, ‘Oh well, cool. It’ll come around. I don’t have to chase it. It’ll come around.’ I expected. Now after this fight, I’m just kind of like, ‘You know what? I’m not expecting anything,’” Adesanya said. “I’m not expecting to be the champ again. If what I’ve done in this game doesn’t make me happy already, then what will? So I’m not expecting it. If it comes, I’ll take it with both hands, but I’m not expecting it. I’m kind of just chilling and living, training, doing well.”

    Despite his struggles, Adesanya remains defiant toward those who believe his best days are behind him.

    “They call me washed, but how are you going to call me washed when you haven’t even been in laundry?” Adesanya said. “You haven’t even gotten dirty. What have you done?”

    As for what’s next, the Nigerian-New Zealander is uncertain but isn’t rushing into any decisions.

    “To be honest, I don’t know,” Adesanya said when asked about his future. “I have an idea when I want to fight-ish, but for the first time—I want to say ‘a long time,’ but I’ve never really been in this position. So I don’t know, and I’m just taking it as it comes. It’s nice, because before I came on the scene, I had to adapt and call a lot of audibles as things were playing along, and call my next move. But now I’ll just plot.”

    With his next steps still unclear, Adesanya embraces the unknown and focuses on training rather than immediate title aspirations.

  • Alex Pereira Also Open To Future Friendship With Jamahal Hill After Patching Things Up With Rival Israel Adesanya

    Alex Pereira Also Open To Future Friendship With Jamahal Hill After Patching Things Up With Rival Israel Adesanya

    When it comes to putting out fires in his combat sports career, a newfound camaraderie with Israel Adesanya isn’t the only unlikely friendship UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is open to.

    While achieving unprecedented success in just a few short years under the UFC banner, former kickboxing star “Poatan” has already has his fair share of rivalries.

    Front and center is his feud with Adesanya, which was forged from two battles in the ring and the Brazilian ‘chasing’ his foe to the Octagon, where he dethroned him. A fourth clash between the pair finally went the way of “The Last Stylebender,” leading to talk of yet another installment.

    But the pair have since swapped their back and forth for an apparent friendship. After some previous interactions, the pair sat alongside one another while in attendance at UFC 312 earlier this month. Adesanya even recited Pereira’s catchphrase during a video that the latter uploaded to social media.

    And with one heated conflict now firmly in the past, “Poatan” is willing to do the same to another that’s currently raging on down the line.

    During an interview on Straight Talk with Mark Bouris, Pereira was asked about the possibility of forming a similar bond with former opponent Jamahal Hill.

    “Right now, at the moment no, because of a potential fight in the future. We fight in the same weight class,” Pereira said. “But if [it] happens just like Israel Adesanya, I’m not fighting him [Hill] anymore, I have no problem with that. We can be friends, train together; no problem for me.”

    Pereira and Hill’s animosity arose ahead of their title bout at UFC 300 last April, with “Sweet Dreams” confidently downplaying the Brazilian’s threat only to be knocked out inside the first round.

    As the American pursues a rematch, he attempted to confront Pereira at the UFC Performance Institute a couple of months back, with the champ’s coach ultimately getting between the pair after his man invited Hill to spar.

  • Israel Adesanya & Kelvin Gastelum’s 2019 Barnburner Announced For UFC Hall Of Fame

    Israel Adesanya & Kelvin Gastelum’s 2019 Barnburner Announced For UFC Hall Of Fame

    Israel Adesanya’s recently gone on a rough patch in his MMA venture, including his knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov last week. But in a moment of lightness, he will be honored for putting on one of the greatest bouts in Octagon history as part of this year’s UFC Hall of Fame class.

    Adesanya’s interim middleweight title fight with Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 will be inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame this summer during International Fight Week, the promotion announced during the UFC 312 pay-per-view.

    The two put on an absolute war at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA, on that April 2019 night, with UFC CEO Dana White claiming in the immediate aftermath that it was one of the greatest fights he’s ever seen in his life.

    Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum Announced For UFC Hall of Fame Class Of 2025

    The fight was a back-and-forth affair, with plenty of moments from both men. Gastelum took many people by surprise when he rocked Adesanya with a head kick late in the fight. Adesanya, however, locked in and did plenty of damage during the final round, nearly prompting referee Marc Goddard to step in.

    Adesanya ultimately won the interim title on a unanimous decision before going on to defeat Robert Whittaker later that year at UFC 243 to become undisputed UFC middleweight champion.

    The fight joins The Ultimate Fighter Executive Producer Craig Piligian as the inductees announced thus far for the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2025. More inductees are expected to be announced at the next couple of UFC pay-per-view events.

  • Watch Israel Adesanya Recite Alex Pereira’s Catchphrase While Sat Next To ‘Poatan’ At UFC 312

    Watch Israel Adesanya Recite Alex Pereira’s Catchphrase While Sat Next To ‘Poatan’ At UFC 312

    Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have waged war plenty of times with one another between their time in kickboxing and MMA. But at UFC 312 in Australia, the longtime rivals appeared to be at peace, as the pair were sitting next to each other audience.

    After images emerged of the two stars seated together, a video showed Pereira flipping the camera to Adesanya, with the fellow former UFC middleweight champion calmly exclaiming, “Chama” — the catchphrase of the current UFC light heavyweight king.

    Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira Seated Next To One Another During UFC 312

    Adesanya and Pereira fought twice in kickboxing. Pereira won both fights, once via decision and the other via knockout.

    Pereira, who went on to win championships in GLORY Kickboxing, transitioned over to MMA full time and fought Adesanya twice there. Their first meeting came at UFC 281 in November 2022, with Pereira scoring a comeback fifth-round finish to win the UFC middleweight championship.

    Adesanya finally scored a win and regained the title when he went on to knock out Pereira at UFC 287 five months later.

    Their careers have gone in opposite directions since. Pereira has become the champion at 205 pounds, defeating the likes of Jiří Procházka, Jamahal Hill, and Khalil Rountree. “The Last Stylebender,” meanwhile, dropped the middleweight title in upset fashion to Sean Strickland, failed to regain the belt against Dricus Du Plessis, and was knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov last week at UFC Saudi Arabia.

  • UFC Analyst: Everyone Falls Off, Israel Adesanya Is No Different

    UFC Analyst: Everyone Falls Off, Israel Adesanya Is No Different

    Din Thomas isn’t surprised to see Israel Adesanya on a losing skid at this stage of his career.

    The former fighter-turned-analyst recently weighed in on Adesanya’s latest defeat, when he was knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia. The loss marked Adesanya’s third consecutive setback and has fueled widespread speculation about his future in the sport.

    Thomas pointed out that many UFC legends have experienced similar declines toward the end of their careers, and “The Last Stylebender” is no exception.

    “Well, that’s just the thing. You know when you make it to the top, and he (Adesanya) is done right? In my opinion at the top-top,” Thomas said during MMA Today on Sirius XM. “But it happens to everybody. No one escapes that except for Jon Jones. It’s a handful, and they’re all on Mount Rushmore. Even Anderson Silva fell off. It happens to everybody. This might be a bad message to send to fighters, but if you make it to the top, it comes crashing down hard. Harder than if you don’t make it to the top, and you kind of teeter around the UFC for a while.

    “When you make it to the top top, your losses are always magnified,” Thomas added. “Everybody’s watching them and it looks like a hard fall. It happened to Chuck Liddell, it happened to B.J. Penn, it happened to all the greats, and that’s just what’s happening to Izzy right now.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis Backs Israel Adesanya’s Firm Take On His Legacy Amid UFC Losing Skid

    Dricus Du Plessis Backs Israel Adesanya’s Firm Take On His Legacy Amid UFC Losing Skid

    UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis recently assessed former rival Israel Adesanya’s legacy following a third straight defeat inside the Octagon.

    After consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Du Plessis in title fights, Adesanya returned to non-championship, non-pay-per-view competition this past weekend in Saudi Arabia.

    He was unable to rediscover winning form, instead falling via knockout to the surging Nassourdine Imavov seconds into the sophomore round in Riyadh.

    During fight week for the Feb. 1 event, “The Last Stylebender” insisted he has zero worry about his current losing skid affecting his standing as one of the all-time greats, claiming that even 10 defeats in a row would not affect his legacy.

    With that sentiment, Adesanya evidently has the support of a former opponent.

    “For Izzy, I don’t think there’s another title run,” Du Plessis said during UFC 312 media day on Wednesday. “With all due respect. I think his legacy is cemented and will always be there, and whatever he feels like doing, he can do. I put him in the same category as Anderson Silva at this stage of, lose as many fights as you want. You’ll always have your legacy.

    “Anderson Silva, after his reign ended, I don’t care how many times he lost. He was still my GOAT. He was still the greatest middleweight of all time,” Du Plessis continued. “And I feel like Izzy is in that area, where whatever you decided to do – take super fights here or there if you want to, if you still have the passion for it.”

    Du Plessis submitted Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth last August. He’s back Down Under this week to defend the middleweight belt again, this time against the man he snatched the belt from 13 months ago, Sean Strickland.

    The Nigerian-New Zealander, meanwhile, is planning on taking some time away from the cage to rest and recuperate, before assessing his next step on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

  • UFC Vet Sends Israel Adesanya Advice After Latest Loss: ‘Got To Go Back To Getting Up At 5 AM On Your Silk Sheets’

    UFC Vet Sends Israel Adesanya Advice After Latest Loss: ‘Got To Go Back To Getting Up At 5 AM On Your Silk Sheets’

    Former fighter Matt Brown has weighed in on Israel Adesanya’s recent loss at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia.

    The defeat marked Adesanya’s third consecutive defeat and has sparked widespread speculation about his future. According to Brown, having lost four of his last five fights, Adesanya may need to reconsider his championship aspirations in the UFC.

    “He’s got to be thirsty again,” Brown explained on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “He’s got to go back to getting up at 5 a.m. on your silk sheets and not going out on Saturday night. You’ve got to go back to those things you did as a youth.

    “That’s a hard thing to do. It’s not easy. He’s comfortable. He’s had an amazing career. That’s hard to forget all that and go back to training, going back to those day-one things. Should he retire? I think that’s the big question. That’s going to be up to himself, but I would have to agree that he’s probably not getting back to title fights any time soon. Probably never again.”

    Adesanya must make adjustments if he hopes to contend for a championship again. However, the middleweight division, unlike some others in the UFC, lacks an abundance of established stars.

    This raises questions about Adesanya’s long-term goals, as Brown suggests.

    “He’ll have to decide for himself if he wants to retire because he’s held the title for so long. It’s like, do you want to keep fighting middle-of-the-road fights or whatever?” Brown said. “I was trying to think of some fun fights that would just be fun for him. Nothing really came up in my head. I’m sure there are always options out there that would be fun. The other option, if the UFC would let him do it — I know we would all love to see him in some influencer boxing stuff. I’d love to see him fight Jake Paul or something.

    “But what’s he going to do in the UFC? What are you going to do? How excited are you going to get to just fight [random] guys? If you’re not working towards a goal, working towards the title, you’re just putting yourself at risk all the time. Now if he needs the money, that’s a different thing. I’m hoping he doesn’t.”

    As Adesanya approaches his 36th birthday, he may need to reinvent his fighting style. Brown points out that Adesanya’s current approach relies heavily on quick reactions, precise striking, and impeccable timing — attributes that will naturally decline with age.

  • Sean Strickland: Dricus Du Plessis ‘Took The Coward’s Way Out’ By Submitting Israel Adesanya

    Sean Strickland: Dricus Du Plessis ‘Took The Coward’s Way Out’ By Submitting Israel Adesanya

    Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland evidently wasn’t too impressed by how rival Dricus Du Plessis had his hand raised at the expense of Israel Adesanya last year.

    Strickland and Du Plessis are renewing hostilities this week in Sydney, Australia, where they’ll run it back 13 months on from the South African’s title-winning victory over “Tarzan” in Canada.

    Since then, Du Plessis has successfully defended the gold on one occasion, submitting Adesanya with a face crank in round four of the UFC 305 main event in Perth last August. Strickland, meanwhile, earned his shot at redemption with a five-round performance against Paulo Costa that was widely branded lackluster.

    With that in mind, “Stillknocks” has been touting his evolution as a fighter across the past 12 months, claiming to have grown more as an athlete than Strickland since they last collided.

    During a recent interview with Fox Sports Australia, the polaziring American responded to those remarks. Suffice to say, he does not agree…

    “I don’t know about that,” Strickland said. “Dude, you fought Izzy, and Izzy was beating you in striking. I dog walked Izzy. Don’t get too excited, Izzy. I mean that in a striking sense. Maybe you (Du Plessis) might wrestle a little bit more.

    “It was good dude…he took the guy down again. He took the coward’s way out, real bad,” Strickland continued. “He’s supposed to be a strong South African, but wants to wrestle him. Real bad, dude. At the end of the day, he fought well, but you’re gonna let the Chinaman beat you in striking, which we all remember. … I don’t like to wrestle. I’m a grown ass man. I do the right things. I stand and strike.”

    Those comments are not surprising given the lead-up to Saturday’s UFC 312 pay-per-view, which has seen the challenger lay down a striking-only challenge to Du Plessis.

    Given how quick the South African was to shut that down, Strickland’s takedown defense could be tested come fight night at Qudos Bank Arena.