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Tag: Israel Adesanya

  • Israel Adesanya’s Coach Feels ‘Real African’ Comments From Dricus Du Plessis A Smart Marketing Ploy: ‘Conor Not Being Able To Get Inside Khabib’s Head…’

    Israel Adesanya’s Coach Feels ‘Real African’ Comments From Dricus Du Plessis A Smart Marketing Ploy: ‘Conor Not Being Able To Get Inside Khabib’s Head…’

    The main event of UFC 305 features one of the biggest rivalry match-ups of the year finally take place as middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis meets former titleholder Israel Adesanya.

    August 17 in Perth would have been a fight that fans were looking forward to regardless but comments that were made over a year ago, at this point, have made this one drastically more tense.

    Before he was even the number one contender, Du Plessis spoke about bringing the belt back to Africa as the first true African champion because he lives and trains in South Africa to this day.

    A coach of Adesanya’s at City Kickboxing in New Zealand gives the champion credit for what he believes was an intentional move to stir the pot.

    Michael Angove Says That Dricus Du Plessis’ Comments Were Intentional

    Michael Angove spoke in a recent interview with The Scrap about Du Plessis’ comments that made this fight mean a whole lot more than Adesanya becoming a three-time champion.

    Angove suggested that given Adesanya’s personality and pride, the current champion must have known that he would get a reaction by saying what he did.

    “We may as well start there as that’s what kicked it all off. Dricus is many things but he isn’t stupid. That was a calculated statement, I make no apologies for suggesting that’s calculated. You know that a guy from Nigeria with ‘broken native’ written across his chest, with the continent of Africa across his chest, is going to feel very, very attached to his homeland.

    “Clever marketing, well done Dricus, he knows the whole history of South Africa as well. That’s going to motivate people, it’s great, it’s built this fight to a much higher level than it might have been otherwise and here we are and I think there is a pretty fair degree of animosity there based on that. Great marketing, great way to get under someone’s skin and the world is now watching.”

    Despite believing that Du Plessis made this personal on purpose, Angove doesn’t necessarily blame him for doing so.

    He explained how both selling the fight and trying to emotionally manipulate an opponent are two aspects of the sport and they both matter at this level.

    “That’s the nature of the fight game, it’s smart. Everyone plays both marketing and mind games and at the highest level, at the elite level, those things can make a difference. Conor not being able to get inside Khabib’s head made a difference. Conor not being able to get inside Nate Diaz’s head made a difference. You saw the difference when Conor made people insane with rage versus guys who were just focused and let it wash over them.”

    Read also: Sean O’Malley Puts Umar Nurmagomedov Among ‘Lot Of Options’ For Future Opponent: ‘Max, Ilia, Figgy…’

  • Chael Sonnen Sees Big UFC Future For Shara Magomedov Despite Grappling Concerns: ‘Adesanya’s A Complete Fighter…He Wasn’t On Day One!’

    Chael Sonnen Sees Big UFC Future For Shara Magomedov Despite Grappling Concerns: ‘Adesanya’s A Complete Fighter…He Wasn’t On Day One!’

    Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen isn’t worried about some of the holes in middleweight prospect Shara Magomedov’s game just yet.

    Magomedov has enjoyed a strong summer inside the cage, building on his successful UFC debut last October with a further two victories in the Middle East, both of which netted him an additional $50,000.

    After stopping replacement opponent Antonio Trócoli in Saudi Arabia this past June, the undefeated “Bullet” returned for a short-notice co-headliner against Michał Oleksiejczuk at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi.

    The 30-year-old Dagestani’s usual array of striking weapons were on display across three rounds, as he outpointed his Polish opponent on all three scorecards in the event’s Fight of the Night.

    But while Magomedov extended his undefeated record to 14-0, the up-and-comer isn’t short on doubters, many of whom have suggested he will fall to defeat when faced with one of the division’s talented grapplers.

    Although that might be the case currently, Sonnen isn’t counting out Magomedov when it comes to rounding out his skillset in the coming months and years.

    Sonnen: Magomedov Belongs ‘In Big Fights’ & ‘On Posters’

    During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Daniel Cormier on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his assessment of Magomedov’s latest performance on MMA’s biggest stage.

    “The American Gangster” had plenty of praise for Magomedov’s aura and watchability but admitted he doesn’t see a prospect with the kind of skillset boasted by some others.

    That, however, is something he is confident can be rectified moving forward, pointing to the evolution of previously one-dimensional athletes such as Israel Adesanya as evidence that a well-rounded arsenal could be to come for Magomedov.

    “When he comes on TV, there’s something happening. … He captivates me,” Sonnen said. “This guy is already a co-main event. That is an incredible career. He’s amassing a great record — because I’m not seeing all the skills there. In all fairness, I don’t watch him and go, ‘Wow, where has this guy been?’ I think that Bo Nickal would be the counterpart to that, where you watch him and go, ‘Wow, this guy sure looks well rounded. He sure appears to have a little bit of everything for being a new guy on the scene.’ I’m not seeing it with (Magomedov).

    “When I look at ‘Bullet,’ he belongs in big fights. There’s something special. He belongs on posters. I’m interested. I want to see this guy, I want to hear from this guy, and I want to learn from this guy,” Sonnen continued. “As far as the skills, I think he’s learning on the job, and he’s not the first guy that’s had to. Israel Adesanya’s about a complete fighter as you’re gonna find; he wasn’t on day one. … So if ‘Bullet’ is open to learning, if he can absorb and if he can take the criticism that we’re giving him right now, he’s gonna have a fun future.”

    In addition to some doubting his overall skillset, Magomedov also came under criticism for his post-fight callout in Abu Dhabi this weekend. The undefeated Russian had the name of Nick Diaz on his lips, who hasn’t recorded a win since 2011 and was most recently defeated by Robbie Lawler in 2021.

    Regardless, “Bullet” has done what is required of him inside the Octagon to date, and he’ll hope to continue that trend against whomever the promotion places opposite him next time out.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Predicts ‘Paulo Costa’ Performance For Israel Adesanya In UFC 305 Return: ‘Dricus Is A Tough Guy, But…’ 

    Alexander Volkanovski Predicts ‘Paulo Costa’ Performance For Israel Adesanya In UFC 305 Return: ‘Dricus Is A Tough Guy, But…’ 

    Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is envisioning a strong return to competition for his teammate and friend Israel Adesanya later this month.

    Adesanya hasn’t competed since losing the middleweight title in surprising fashion against Sean Strickland last September at UFC 293 in Sydney. He subsequently pointed to a high level of activity when announcing plans for an extended layoff.

    That break comes to an end in less than two weeks’ time, with “The Last Stylebender” set for the chance to achieve three-time champ status when he returns to action back on Australian soil.

    At UFC 305 on August 17, Perth’s RAC Arena will play host to Adesanya’s comeback fight opposite reigning 185-pound kingpin Dricus Du Plessis.

    The South African has continued to prove his detractors wrong on MMA’s biggest stage, first by earning top contender status with a win over Robert Whittaker last year and then by dethroning Strickland this past January in Canada.

    In Adesanya, though, Volkanovski thinks “Stillknocks” will arrive at a hurdle too tall…

    Volkanovski Predicts ‘Incredible’ Comeback Performance For Adesanya

    During an interview with talkSPORT MMA while in Manchester for UFC 304 late last month, Volkanovski looked ahead to the promotion’s next numbered event, which takes place in his home country Down Under.

    “Alexander the Great,” an occasional teammate of Adesanya’s at City Kickboxing in New Zealand, is expecting the former two-time champ to have gold wrapped around his waist to close out the card on August 17.

    And to do so, Volkanovski is predicting the kind of performance that Adesanya put in to claim the title for the first time in 2019 and record his second defense a year later.

    “We’re gonna see him coming back; I think he’s gonna look incredible,” Volkanovski said. “Dricus is a tough guy, great fighter. But I think this Israel that’s gonna turn up is gonna be one of those — you know, when he comes back and you see a Paulo Costa performance, or even the first Robert Whittaker performance.”

    With talk of a bulked-up physique and improvements behind closed doors since returning to training earlier this year, Adesanya will look to show that he’s got plenty left in the tank by returning to the middleweight throne in emphatic fashion.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Feels He Would Have Knocked Israel Adesanya Out If He Were In Sean Strickland’s Shoes: ‘If I Catch Him With That Shot…’

    Dricus Du Plessis Feels He Would Have Knocked Israel Adesanya Out If He Were In Sean Strickland’s Shoes: ‘If I Catch Him With That Shot…’

    Israel Adesanya returns to the Octagon at UFC 305 after taking some time off to put bad memories of his most recent outing behind him.

    Adesanya lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland in one of the biggest title fight upsets in UFC history last year at UFC 293.

    Whilst the challenger had a great night in general, the defining moment of the fight was when he caught and dropped “The Last Stylebender” in the first round but was unable to get the finish.

    This came as such a shock to many fans who felt like Strickland simply wouldn’t be on the same level as the champion, when it came to the striking exchanges.

    Adesanya’s next opponent and the current champion paid special interest to this.

    Dricus Du Plessis Says He Would’ve Finished Israel Adesanya With The Same Strike

    Dricus Du Plessis is much more of a power striker than Strickland, who he defeated earlier this year to become the middleweight champion.

    Whilst the former champ may be very accurate and defensively sound, “Stillknocks” has the momentum and force to stop any opponent and that gives him confidence ahead of August 17.

    Du Plessis believes that he can close the show on Adesanya in their heated grudge match in Perth, especially if he’s able to land something similar to the strike Strickland landed last year.

    He spoke in a recent interview with mainevent on Fox Sports about how “The Last Stylebender” wouldn’t have made it out of the first round if it was him in there that night.

    “If I land that shot that Sean Strickland landed, the fight is over right there, 100%. We know that Strickland’s not a power puncher. I’ve felt, and Strickland’s a great boxer, his boxing is really really good. Very awkward and amazing jab, he throws that 1-2 and he does it great but he doesn’t have that starch power and he put him down. I honestly thought the fight was over but if I catch him with that shot then it’s over.”

    Read also: Leon Edwards’ Coach Slams US Timing For UFC 304 Title Fight: ‘It’s A Joke!’ 

  • What’s Next After UFC 304? Full Confirmed UFC 305 Main Card For Perth On August 17

    What’s Next After UFC 304? Full Confirmed UFC 305 Main Card For Perth On August 17

    UFC 304 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

    The promotion was in Manchester, England last week, where the Co-op Live played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest visit across the pond. Of note were victories for newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad, Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall, and rising lightweight Paddy Pimblett.

    While the aftermath of the July 27 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the welterweight title picture to the 185-pound championship conversation.

    At UFC 305, set for the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on August 17, reigning middleweight kingpin Dricus Du Plessis will compete for the second time this year, making his first defense of the gold in a long-awaited grudge match against returning former two-time champ Israel Adesanya.

    There will also be high stakes and Oceanic interest in the co-headliner, as former flyweight title challengers Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg collide in the latter’s home city in pursuit of staking their claim for a shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s belt down the line.

    Hooker, Tuivasa, ‘The Leech’ Set The Stage For Title Headliner At UFC 305

    Before Du Plessis defends his championship in Adesanya’s home continent and the City Kickboxing standout’s teammate “Don’t Blink” makes his comeback, a number of other high-profile names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major card.

    That includes fan-favorite lightweight veteran Dan Hooker, whose frequent calls for a spot on the Perth card were finally answered in the form of a crucial showdown with the #5-ranked Mateusz Gamrot. While Hooker has won back-to-back outings against Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner to begin a resurgence, “Gamer” is riding a three-fight win streak.

    Prior to that, Australia’s own Tai Tuivasa will look to bring his patented post-knockout shoey celebration back to the Octagon for the first time since his victory over Derrick Lewis in February 2022. That result marked “Bam Bam’s” fifth straight win and left him at #3 in the heavyweight rankings, but he’s since lost four in a row, the most recent of which came against Marcin Tybura at the Apex this past March. The same month saw his next opponent, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, return to winning ways at the expense of Shamil Gaziev.

    And opening the main card is the return of Li Jingliang, who hasn’t made the walk since a controversial defeat to Daniel Rodriguez in their short-notice 180-pound catchweight contest at UFC 279 in September 2022.

    See below for the full UFC 305 card, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Dricus Du Plessis (C) vs. Israel Adesanya (middleweight championship main event)
    • Kai Kara-France vs. Steve Erceg (flyweight co-main event)
    • Mateusz Gamrot vs. Dan Hooker (lightweight)
    • Tai Tuivasa vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
    • Li Jingliang vs. Carlos Prates (welterweight)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Junior Tafa vs. Valter Walker (heavyweight)
    • Joshua Culibao vs. Ricardo Ramos (featherweight)
    • Casey O’Neill vs. Luana Santos (women’s flyweight)
    • Jack Jenkins vs. Herbert Burns (featherweight)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Tom Nolan vs. Alex Reyes (lightweight)
    • Song Kenan vs. Ricky Glenn (welterweight)
    • Stewart Nicoll vs. Jesus Aguilar (flyweight)
    Dan Hooker
    Image: UFC.com
  • Israel Adesanya Turned By Belal Muhammad’s Title Win Over Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘I’m A Fan Now!’

    Israel Adesanya Turned By Belal Muhammad’s Title Win Over Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘I’m A Fan Now!’

    Belal Muhammad earned at least one new supporter in the form of Israel Adesanya thanks to his championship crowning at UFC 304.

    Muhammad upset the odds against home country favorite Leon Edwards to emerge from this past weekend’s pay-per-view event in Manchester, England, with the welterweight title in his possession.

    Amid doubt from plenty in the MMA community, “Remember the Name” vowed to unseat “Rocky” with a dominant and one-sided display at the Co-op Live. He achieved that feat against most pre-fight predictions, avoiding a few scares across five rounds to secure a convincing victory on the scorecards.

    The new champ quickly began his ‘I told you so’ tour in the aftermath of his title win, and among those who could expect a visit given their pre-UFC 304 thoughts on Muhammad’s chances is former two-time middleweight champ Adesanya…

    Adesanya Will ‘Remember The Name’ After Muhammad’s UFC 304 Triumph

    During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya reacted live to the major matchups that played out in the UK this past weekend.

    During UFC 304 fight week, “The Last Stylebender” laid his support behind Edwards, a friend of his who is managed by the same team. Adesanya predicted that “Rocky” would simply have too much for the challenger.

    Having been proved wrong, the Nigerian-New Zealander had nothing but praise for the victorious Muhammad, noting that he is now a fan of the newly crowned welterweight kingpin.

    “He put him on his head! Bro, that rocked him. His head, that was bad. Look at it. That’s bad, bro! Spiked him,” Adesanya said after Muhammad dropped Edwards on his head. “Jesus Christ, Belal. Even if he loses this fight, I’m a fan of him now. I knew his name, of course, but I’ll remember the name.

    “Bro, what the f*ck. Yo, Belal’s nice. What Michael (Bisping) just said; he’s fighting fearlessly. He’s fighting in Leon’s home country, coming for his belt, and fighting like this,” Adesanya continued. “Leon knows. But that, what a rally at the end though. … What a story though, Belal, to do that after coming back from the eye poke, now this in his (Edwards’) backyard. Everybody doubting him, including me. Give it up to him, what a story.”

    Adesanya certainly doesn’t mark the only doubter whom Muhammad proved wrong on fight night in Manchester. “Remember the Name” made good on his promise to dominate the champ in his backyard — a prediction that not many had entertained pre-fight.

    Having extended his unbeaten streak and completed his goal of having the gold wrapped around his waist, Muhammad will now turn his attention to a first defense and beginning to build his championship legacy.

  • Israel Adesanya Gives One-Sided Prediction For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He’s On A Massacre Right Now…’

    Israel Adesanya Gives One-Sided Prediction For Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He’s On A Massacre Right Now…’

    Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has a strong idea of how Saturday’s main event title fight in Manchester will play out.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back across the pond this week to stage its first card in the English city of Manchester in close to a decade. And among the home fighters looking to thrill the UK crowd is reigning welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards.

    Following successful defenses of his gold opposite Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, “Rocky” is next tasked with getting the better of Belal Muhammad at the second time of trying.

    While their first fight back in 2021 ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, the champ believes he was firmly en route to a knockout at the Apex. And with that in mind, the Jamaica-born Brit expects to finish the job inside the Co-op Live this weekend.

    In that regard, he has the support of one notable former two-time UFC champ…

    Adesanya ‘Not Hating On Belal’, But Sees A Finish For Edwards At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya provided his breakdowns and predictions for the major title fights set to play out in Manchester on July 27.

    When it comes to the main event, Adesanya had little doubt backing his fellow Chosen Advisory-managed fighter to emerge with the gold still in his possession at UFC 304, even predicting that he’ll get the job done before the championship rounds.

    “Belal’s got pressure, man. It just seems like he’s able to get to people and put his will on them,” Adesanya said. “But I’ll tell you one thing, this is a different version — Leon just seems like he’s on a massacre right now; he’s on a run. Leon might finish him. I think Leon finishes this fight.

    “I’m trying to see how Belal can win this fight. This seems like a bad match for Belal. I’m not hating on Belal or anything, I’m just trying to see what’s his path to victory in this,” Adesanya continued. “Striking, Leon’s got it. Grappling, you wanna lean towards Belal but Leon is right up there. It’s Leon’s fight to win, Leon’s fight to lose. … Leon’s too crisp compared to Belal. He’s just too sharp. … Leon by knockout in the third round, second or third round.”

    Edwards will look to make Adesanya’s prediction a reality come fight night, when he’s vowed to end Muhammad’s championship ambitions inside the distance with an emphatic performance and stoppage on home soil.

  • Coach: Israel Adesanya Won’t Be Champion When Leon Edwards Moves Up In Weight

    Coach: Israel Adesanya Won’t Be Champion When Leon Edwards Moves Up In Weight

    A win in the main event of UFC 304 will earn Leon Edwards the third ruby on his welterweight title.

    Since stunning the MMA world with his head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman, the Brit has defended his title on two occasions heading into this rematch with Belal Muhammad on July 27 in Manchester.

    Edwards has made it clear that he has big goals in mind for his title reign at 170-pounds where he hopes to break the great Georges St-Pierre’s records.

    Though he has no plans to permanently leave welterweight at any point soon, “Rocky” also hopes to challenge himself at middleweight at some stage.

    With several top names sitting at the top of the division, it could be a very different landscape at 185-pounds by the time Edwards makes his move.

    Dave Lovell Picks Out Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis As Potential Middleweight Fights For Leon Edwards

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Edwards’ head coach Dave Lovell was asked to give his opinion on who the middleweight champion will be when his fighter attempts to become a two-weight world champion.

    Israel Adesanya is set to challenge for the title that he has held twice before when he faces Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 next month but Lovell doesn’t believe that “The Last Stylebender” will be around for much longer.

    Edwards’ friendship with Adesanya makes a fight between them incredibly unlikely anyway but the Team Renegade captain doesn’t see this coming to pass.

    He believes that either the current holder or the man he won the title from, could be Edwards’ middleweight opponent.

    “I don’t think Israel [Adesanya] because in all fairness, I love him and Israel is my brother but I think he’s coming to the twilight of his career now. and if I was him, if he fights Dricus, maybe win the title, defend it once or even just win that title and retire because he’s earned enough, he’s got nothing more to prove. I wouldn’t like to see Leon fight Israel because we’re all close that way, we’re all friends so I wouldn’t like to see that.

    “Dricus maybe if Dricus is still hanging around. I think the easiest, well I take that back, one of the fights that I think would be a good fight for Leon to showcase his skills against a man, Mr Strickland, who’s a kind of come forward kind of style fighter which would suit Leon.

  • Former UFC Champ Lays Down How Khamzat Chimaev Can Fight The Winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Over Sean Strickland

    Former UFC Champ Lays Down How Khamzat Chimaev Can Fight The Winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya Over Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev burst onto the scene by winning two UFC fights in different weight divisions within 10 days. However, the hype train that began in 2020 has derailed a bit due to his inconsistency.

    Despite defeating credible opponents like Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, “Borz” has yet to fight for the title at welterweight or middleweight. He was scheduled to take on Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia last month, and winning the bout would have most likely solidified his first title shot.

    Unfortunately, illness once again struck the Chechen star, forcing him to withdraw on late notice. Despite that, though, Chimaev still recently called for a title shot upon his return.

    Michael Bisping recently reviewed Chimaev’s career and dismissed any chances of a championship fight next. However, the former UFC champ did reveal the one way through which the prospect can fight the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya.

    Bisping Explains How Chimaev Can Pass Strickland, Whittaker For UFC Middleweight Title Shot

    Bisping discussed Chimaev’s demands for a title shot upon his return on his official YouTube channel. Although “The Count” praised the Russian fighter for dominating Usman and being explosive in the Octagon, he highlighted that it isn’t enough for him to pass Whittaker and ex-middleweight king Sean Strickland in the title race.

    Bisping also pointed out Chimaev’s inconsistency and how the UFC hasn’t been in proper touch with him. He fought four times in 2020 to gain a ton of hype in MMA circles but has only fought thrice since then. “Borz” has pulled out of bouts several times due to illness or other reasons, which has naturally hurt his brand.

    “So, there’s no judgment against him for that, but the reality is for Khamzat Chimaev, the man doesn’t fight too frequently. Had one fight in 2023, two in 2022, and one in 2021. So, that’s an issue for the UFC and, certainly lately, he’s kind of been, I don’t want to say unreliable, but he’s pulled out a couple of times, okay?”

    Having said that, the former UFC middleweight champ is certain that Chimaev is still one fight away from getting a chance at gold. At the numbered event in Abu Dhabi this October, Bisping believes he should aim to secure a rescheduled clash with the #3-ranked Whittaker.

    Chimaev’s high-pace style slowed him down in the later rounds against Burns and Usman. For Bisping, a three-round battle with “Bobby Knuckles” at UFC 308 would be favorable because the Australian might have the edge in a five-round battle, as they were set for in Riyadh.

    “The man is something special. Of course, the cardio issues as the fights get longer. That is the big question, can he do that over five rounds? But Robert Whittaker, if he fought in Abu Dhabi, that would only be three rounds. And that would actually help Khamzat Chimaev.”

    “The Count” believes that a win over Whittaker would also allow Chimaev to pass Strickland for a title opportunity due to recency.

    “Rebooking Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker. The fight we all wanted to see, the fight that made sense, and the fight that would, I’ll be honest, set up the next number one contender. And that’s a shame for Sean Strickland.”

  • Dricus Du Plessis On ’10-8′ Trash Talk Win Over Israel Adesanya, Post-UFC 305 Prediction

    Dricus Du Plessis On ’10-8′ Trash Talk Win Over Israel Adesanya, Post-UFC 305 Prediction

    The build-up to UFC 305 is sure to be an interesting experience for Dricus Du Plessis, given the tension that surrounds his first title defense.

    Despite them both trading comments for a year now, it still feels like the rivalry between the champion and his challenger, Israel Adesanya, is yet to hit fever pitch.

    Du Plessis, however, doesn’t see the war of words as anything other than giving back the same energy that he receives from opponents.

    He was asked about dealing a ’10-8′ scorecard to Israel Adesanya during their recent verbal exchange, in an interview with the Hack Check Podcast. The South African said that he’s always ready to bite back if others think they can push him around.

    “If you were coming at me, listen, I will never ever be bullied or pushed around. It’s not going to happen so I’m always good to go. If you treat me with respect, if we make it about the fight only, that’s the way I’m going to handle it. I mean, look at myself and Whittaker, look at myself and even Darren Till, he was chilled when we were at a presser. Every single guy that I fought before this, it wasn’t necessary because even look at Strickland, I was respectful and it wasn’t the trash talking at all up until he tried to bully me with the mic. That’s not gonna happen and that’s exactly what happened there [against Israel Adesanya].”

    Dricus Du Plessis Predicts That Israel Adesanya Will Retire After UFC 305

    Despite the fact that both men clearly do not see eye-to-eye on some subjects, Du Plessis has given Adesanya his dues for the career that he has had.

    The champion is confident that he is steps ahead of the returning Adesanya at this point but that doesn’t mean he feels the need to discredit “The Last Stylebender”.

    Du Plessis also said in the interview that he expects his opponent to announce his retirement from MMA following their fight on August 17, in Perth.

    He once again gave Adesanya props for what he has achieved and said that he has “earned” his retirement if he fails to reclaim the middleweight title.

    “Yes. I don’t give it a lot of thought because it doesn’t really matter to me. It’s irrelevant to me but yes probably. But, like I said, it’s not really something I think about and it’s irrelevant to me. Yeah, I mean, the guy’s done it all in the sport. He’s had, to say a great career would be almost underselling. He’s had one of the greatest careers ever so he’s earned it and it’ll be a great time [to retire him].”

    Read also:

  • MMA News Today: Dan Hooker Claims Israel Adesanya Has Bulked Up To 230 Pounds Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis Fight, Jon Anik On Staying Impartial While Calling Friend Belal Muhammad’s Title Fight At UFC 304, & More

    MMA News Today: Dan Hooker Claims Israel Adesanya Has Bulked Up To 230 Pounds Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis Fight, Jon Anik On Staying Impartial While Calling Friend Belal Muhammad’s Title Fight At UFC 304, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 15, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Hooker says Adesanya sparring isn’t on his wish list right now
    • Anik never lets his relationships affect his commentary
    • Blaydes says he’s keeping things simple ahead of Aspinall rematch

    Dan Hooker Says Israel Adesanya Is Hitting Too Hard For Them To Spar One Another

    When Israel Adesanya returns at UFC 305 to try and recapture the middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis, he will do so off the back of his longest break between fights since signing with the promotion.

    “The Last Stylebender” decided to take some much-needed and well-earned time to regroup before jumping back inside the Octagon, following his loss to Sean Strickland.

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, his City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker spoke about how Adesanya has been bulking up outside of training camp.

    The lightweight contender, who has sparred with the former middleweight champion for a long time, said that his fellow New Zealander is starting to pack too much of a punch for him to trade shots with.

    “I can’t even be bothered sparring him at the moment like the way he’s hitting. I think he’s like 105 kilos [around 230 pounds], I’m just like f******, kicked me in the leg and I was like ‘get f*****!’. He’s had some time off, he was carrying some injuries, he spent a lot of time just packing on some size and like a lot of strength bro and he’s hitting like a truck man. I can’t even be bothered sparring him… like he’s hitting too hard.”

    Jon Anik Says Relationship With Belal Muhammad Won’t Affect His UFC 304 Commentary

    It’s only natural for UFC commentators to have relationships and friendships with some of the fighters that are signed to the roster.

    This is especially difficult in a sport like MMA where the highs are so high and the lows are so low but Jon Anik always looks to separate his work from his personal feelings.

    At UFC 304, Anik’s friend Belal Muhammad will finally get his first shot at welterweight gold when he challenges Leon Edwards on July 27.

    Anik spoke in a recent interview with InsideFighting about how he always looks to serve the moment and both fighters as best as he can, regardless of whether he has personal connections to them.

    “No, I feel like once the athlete hits the tunnel, any of those types of feeling or emotions go away. As I’ve said repeatedly, Dominick Cruz is probably the guy I’m closest to, I mean Belal’s obviously right there on his heels as are other athletes.

    “you establish a lot of interpersonal relationship and you can’t help that but it certainly doesn’t affect the call. I can assure you and everybody else if Leon Edwards head kicks Belal Muhammad into oblivion, my call is going to reflect that and there was nothing hard about me screaming with veins popping out of my mouth, ‘Stipe gets his revenge’, even though he did it against Daniel Cormier.”

    Curtis Blaydes Isn’t Adjusting His Approach For Fighting Tom Aspinall At UFC 304

    In the co-main event in Manchester, Tom Aspinall’s interim heavyweight title will be on the line when he faces Curtis Blaydes in a rematch.

    Blaydes, who is now a 22-fight veteran, has faced the majority of the top names at heavyweight at this stage.

    He spoke in an interview with the media during this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, about how his approach to this fight is the same as always.

    Rather than working specifically on his opponent’s approach, Blaydes simply looks to bring the best version of himself to England in order to come away with the win.

    “Conditioning (has been the focus in camp). That’s the same old,” Blaydes said. “I don’t adjust for anyone. I have prepared for this fight the same way I prepare for everyone. I don’t like to add extra adjustments, extra things to think about. There’s already a whole lot, we don’t need to add anything else.

    “Just a normal, standard fight camp,” Blaydes continued. “Eight weeks of sparring, drilling, running, icing; normal stuff.”

    Read more on the story here.

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  • ONE Championship Star Breaks Down Du Plessis vs. Adesanya At UFC 305: ‘Dricus Is My Boy…’

    ONE Championship Star Breaks Down Du Plessis vs. Adesanya At UFC 305: ‘Dricus Is My Boy…’

    One of the biggest fights of the year is set to go down on August 17 at UFC 305 when the Octagon returns to Perth, Australia.

    The feud between current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and former two-time titleholder Israel Adesanya has been building for over a year at this point.

    Whilst the consensus seemed to be heavily in Adesanya’s favor when the fight was first spoken about this time last year, many have found that the matchup has become more difficult to predict after both men’s recent fights.

    A former training partner of Du Plessis’ who is one of the most recognizable names in ONE Championship believes that the champion will be more than a tough test for the returning Adesanya…

    Aung La N Sang Points Out Advantages For Dricus Du Plessis Against Israel Adesanya

    Aung La N Sang has been one of the poster athletes for ONE Championship for eight years now, having previously reigned as a simultaneous two-weight world champion.

    The former middleweight and light heavyweight king, who is set to return on September 6 in Denver, trains out of Kill Cliff FC in Florida, where Du Plessis has also trained in the past.

    In a recent interview with The AllStar, “The Burmese Python” weighed in with his thoughts on this fight, speaking about where the champion can cause problems for “The Last Stylebender.”

    He pointed out how the physicality of “Stillknocks” and his willingness to walk opponents down could make it a very difficult night for Adesanya.

    “For sure, Dricus is my boy. It’s gonna be a good matchup. Styles make fights and Dricus doesn’t care about how good Israel’s kickboxing is, he’s just going to go forward and hit him, you know?

    “One thing for sure that I know about Dricus, he’s very very strong physically, very, very strong. If Israel’s not on point, he’s going to have a hard night.”

  • Classy Alex Pereira Refuses To Pick Against ‘Good Heart’ Israel Adesanya Despite Heated Rivalry: ‘I’m Here, Cheering For Him’

    Classy Alex Pereira Refuses To Pick Against ‘Good Heart’ Israel Adesanya Despite Heated Rivalry: ‘I’m Here, Cheering For Him’

    It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya have one of the most iconic and popular rivalries in mixed martial arts history. They first crossed paths in GLORY as kickboxers and then fought twice in the UFC.

    Although “Poatan” has three wins over “Izzy” including MMA and kickboxing, the latter often brags about getting the last laugh. In April 2023, Adesanya knocked out Pereira at UFC 287 to reclaim his UFC middleweight championship.

    Since then, the Brazilian has become the light heavyweight champion with two title defenses to his name. He is also expected to move up to heavyweight in the near future. Adesanya, on the other end, lost the middleweight title to Sean Strickland via decision and is gearing up for his return against current champ Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.

    Alex Pereira Sends His Support To Misunderstood Israel Adesanya

    Pereira was recently asked about Adesanya picking him to lose against Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka in an interview uploaded on his official YouTube channel. The UFC light heavyweight champion claimed to be unbothered and reiterated that he’s still backing his rival to win against DDP.

    “They asked me about Adesanya and Du Plessis, I said I don’t see Adesanya losing. Just because he said that about me doesn’t mean I’ll say it back.”

    “Poatan” went on to appreciate Adesanya as a person and vowed to keep cheering for “The Last Stylebender” even if he doesn’t reciprocate in kind.

    Pereira also suggested the former UFC middleweight champion should continue fighting, referring to Adesanya’s vague claim that he would fight again in 2027 after the Strickland loss.

    “i’m here, supporting him, I already fought him, not going to say he should lose. I’m not mad at him, no grudges. Like I said if one day it’s possible to train with him.”

    At 34, Izzy can certainly bounce back from losses like before and go on a new title run at middleweight. From the looks of it, his long-time opponent will be happy to see such a scenario.

    “[People Claim] He’s this, he’s bad” and what not. The people who truly know him that I had contact with, talk good about him. [Adesanya] Has a good heart, a lot of the times it’s just marketing. I believe that, I can see he is a good person.

    “so that’s why I’m here, cheering for him. If he doesn’t cheer for me, that’s not my problem. But I’m here, cheering for him.”

    Despite the animosity in the past, it won’t be a surprise if the two kickboxing greats end up training together soon.

    Read More: Conor McGregor Gives ‘Ecstatic’ Reaction To Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Alleged Tax Debt In Russia: ‘Typical Rat Behavior!’

  • Israel Adesanya Explains How He’ll Deal With Dricus Du Plessis’ ‘Uniqueness’ At UFC 305

    Israel Adesanya Explains How He’ll Deal With Dricus Du Plessis’ ‘Uniqueness’ At UFC 305

    Israel Adesanya is returning to the Octagon to face Dricus Du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 305 in Perth. Last September, he lost the title to Sean Strickland in a huge upset and awaits to finally settle his rivalry with “Stillknocks.”

    On his rather quick path to becoming the kingpin, Du Plessis defeated the likes of Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson, and Darren Till. With his unusual grappling style and striking, which were initially doubted heavily by many MMA enthusiasts, he’s become a hard nut to crack in the middleweight division.

    Here’s how Adesanya, one of the most celebrated strikers ever, plans to counter Du Plessis’ unique style at UFC 305…

    Israel Adesanya Aims To Stick To His Classic Style To Beat Dricus Du Plessis At UFC 305

    Adesanya recently appeared in an interview uploaded on The Sias du Plessis Show YouTube channel. The former two-time UFC middleweight champion seemed unbothered by his next opponent’s unpredictable style and physicality.

    “The Last Stylebender” remembered his KO win over Alex Pereira, who appeared to hold a size advantage over all middleweights in the UFC. Accordingly, Du Plessis’ size and unorthodox style on fight night won’t compel Adesanya to change his strategy.

    “I fought the largest middleweight, Alex Pereira, and I knocked him out,” Adesanya said. “How am I gonna deal with Dricus’ uniqueness? It’s just be unique myself. Be unique to who I am. Never again will I ever stray away from my style or my flow just because I wanna do something different or pander or anything like that.”

    Adesanya also revealed that he plans to fight like his usual self at UFC 305. Fans can expect him to maintain distance and attempt to piece up Du Plessis from the outside with clean strikes if this is true.

    “I’m always gonna stick to my style and stick to what I do best, which is beating people up in fantastic fashion. And, yeah, I’ve done that my whole career, and I wanna get back to that,” Adesanya added. “I’m not really worried about the outcome. It’s more about the journey.”

    The Nigerian-New Zealander repeatedly mentioned that he wants to enjoy the process rather than worry about the outcome of his fight with Du Plessis.

    Will this mindset, accompanied by his classic striking style, be enough to reclaim gold at UFC 305? Only time will tell.

  • Dricus Du Plessis On What He Saw In Israel Adesanya’s Eyes During Staredown: ‘Trying To Convince Himself He Still Wants To Do This’

    UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis drew some conclusions from his long faceoff with Israel Adesanya last week.

    After a bitter feud dating back to the start of 2023, Du Plessis and Adesanya will finally have the chance to settle their grudge inside the Octagon at the upcoming UFC 305 pay-per-view in Perth, Australia, next month.

    Having been unable to make the turnaround post-beating Robert Whittaker to face “The Last Stylebender” in Sydney last September, “Stillknocks” set this bout up once again by dethroning Sean Strickland months after he upset Adesanya Down Under.

    With their long-awaited showdown just over a month away, Du Plessis and his challenger went face to face in Perth for an on-sale press conference.

    Following some firm words with microphone in hand, the pair engaged in one of the lengthiest and most intense faceoffs in recent memory. And according to the champ, he learned a thing or two from it…

    Du Plessis Saw Uncertainty In Adesanya’s Eyes During Perth Faceoff

    During a recent appearance on the All Talk podcast, Du Plessis looked ahead to his opening defense of the middleweight title and reflected on his first in-person interaction with Adesanya during the UFC 305 buildup.

    The South African spoke about the importance of pre-fight faceoffs, even branding them the first part of a bout. And given what he claims to have seen in the eyes of Adesanya, the champ evidently believes round one went to him.

    “Once I get into that zone for any staredown, there’s no humor in that. That’s when things get serious. That’s part of the fight right there, winning that exchange,” Du Plessis said. “Almost a theme for me in this whole fight is seeing that Israel Adesanya…he has done great things in this sport. But when it comes to as big as he’s gonna get, he has been as big as he’s gonna get. When it comes to the title defenses and the winning streaks, that will never come again because he doesn’t have the time.

    “His biggest achievement for him personally was beating Alex Pereira. He had this nemesis who’s beaten him multiple times. And after that fight, he was ready to call it quits,” Du Plessis continued. “That’s what I saw in his eyes as well; trying to convince me but more so trying to convince himself that he still wants to do this and that he still has what it takes to be the best fighter in the world. As soon as you’re asking yourself that question, you’re in a dark place.”

    Whether or not Du Plessis draws the same conclusion when they go face to face again when fight week rolls around in Perth remains to be seen.

    But given his golf jibe relating to retirement during the recent presser, it would appear that “Stillknocks” sees Adesanya having one foot out the door ahead of his first fight in 11 months.

  • Israel Adesanya Has Kind Words For Robert Whittaker After His Big Win Over Ikram Aliskerov: ‘Robbie’s That Guy!’

    Israel Adesanya Has Kind Words For Robert Whittaker After His Big Win Over Ikram Aliskerov: ‘Robbie’s That Guy!’

    During a recent appearance on the Today Show Australia, Israel Adesanya took the moment to congratulate a former opponent on his recent victory.

    Robert Whittaker produced back-to-back wins when he stopped Ikram Aliskerov in the late-notice main event of UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia on June 22.

    “The Reaper” is now back into the title picture after getting Aliskerov out of there in the first round to build on his decision victory against Paulo Costa at UFC 298 this past February.

    Adesanya and Whittaker have met two times inside the Octagon, with “The Last Stylebender” coming out on top on both occasions.

    While reacting to footage of his iconic UFC 243 walkout in Melbourne, the Nigerian-New Zealander took a second to praise his Australian peer.

    “I was fighting the local hero, Rob Whittaker, who just actually had a great win a week or two weeks ago, but I was fighting him here.

    “It was beautiful. Robbie’s that guy. We fought twice. We always have history but it was good to see him back in the win column, and he’s coming for me, so I got to stay ready.”

    Israel Adesanya Says Dricus Du Plessis Feud Is About Respecting ‘The Guys Who Came Before You’

    If Adesanya’s fight with Whittaker — which pitted Australia and New Zealand up against one another — was a big deal, it has nothing on the grudge match that is on deck for UFC 305.

    “The Last Stylebender” is set to finally go up against the current middleweight world champion, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis, and it’s safe to say that they don’t see eye-to-eye.

    Much of the tension between them stems from comments made by Du Plessis about how him winning the middleweight title and bringing it back to Africa would make him the first true African champion because he still lives and trains out of the continent.

    Adesanya spoke about this during his recent TV appearance, stating that the lack of respect being shown to the people that came before the current champion is where he feels his next opponent crossed the line.

    “For me, it’s you have to honor the guys who came before you. He’s the guy saying, ‘I’m the real African champion,’ but look, you wouldn’t have been able to do what you’re doing at home in South Africa if myself, Francis Ngannou, and Kamaru (Usman) didn’t pave the way for you. So you have to respect your elders and I’ll make sure I do that to him.”

    Du Plessis and Adesanya will headline the UFC 305 pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia, on August 17. The bout comes almost a year on from the latter’s most recent appearance, an upset loss to Sean Strickland in Sydney.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Launches Staunch Defense Of His & Israel Adesanya’s Track Records As Champs: ‘We Wouldn’t Be In The Position We Are Now…’

    Alexander Volkanovski Launches Staunch Defense Of His & Israel Adesanya’s Track Records As Champs: ‘We Wouldn’t Be In The Position We Are Now…’

    Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski recently responded to the naysayers questioning the supposed burnout affecting both his and Israel Adesanya’s fighting careers, pointing to their stellar records as UFC champions.

    “Alexander the Great” suffered a second-round knockout at the hands of Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in February, marking his first setback as a featherweight. This loss came on the heels of another finish by reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the first round at UFC 294 last October, making it Volkanovski’s second consecutive KO defeat.

    The loss to Topuria concluded his four-year tenure as champion. Volkanovski, one of the UFC’s most active fighters, has participated in nine title bouts over the past five years. However, the Australian is now on a break from the Octagon to focus on his mental health and recuperate.

    A segment of the MMA community has voiced apprehensions that Volkanovski’s recent defeats stem from his grueling schedule, suggesting that his relentless string of back-to-back fights has led to burnout.

    However, “Alexander the Great” rebuffs these claims, insisting that his relentless pace in competition has been a key factor in his and his close friend and City Kickboxing training partner Adesanya’s rise to greatness as champions…

    Volkanovski Credits Active Competition for His & Adesanya’s Championship Success

    During a recent interview on the FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel with Adesanya’s younger brother, Volkanovski addressed critics who doubt their careers.

    The former featherweight titleholder expressed that he finds “The Last Stylebender’s” reign as middleweight champion deeply inspiring for his own journey.

    “Being active is where you’re gonna make your most money. So get active. I learned that from Izzy, he’s got the right form, and I love it. When we talk about our mentality, like myself and Israel Adesanya, people start to say, ‘Oh, you burned yourself out,’ and they try to look at it as a bad thing.

    “But we wouldn’t be the champions we were. We wouldn’t be in the position we are now mentally and everything. Our mentality and our mindset, that’s what made us great champions to be able to defend that.”

    The 35-year-old Aussie further expressed his gratitude for avoiding extended layoffs from fighting, attributing his legacy as a dominant champion to his relentless activity in the sport.

    “That mentality got us, how many times defending champ? … But I was thankful that I was like that for how long I did. I wouldn’t have the appreciation from the people if I weren’t like that, I wouldn’t have the money in the bank like I do, and I wouldn’t be able to look after my family like I’m able to right now if it wasn’t for that.”

    “The Last Stylebender” also took a voluntary break after losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last September. Initially, he jokingly suggested that he might not return to the Octagon until 2027.

    However, Adesanya is poised to challenge reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, set to take place on August 17 in Perth, Australia.

  • Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis

    Former UFC Champion On Why We May See ‘One Of The Most Dangerous, Nasty Versions Of Israel Adesanya’ Against Dricus Du Plessis

    Israel Adesanya is certainly not going to be short on motivation heading into his middleweight title fight at UFC 305.

    After the longest break of his fighting career, the former champion returns to try and reclaim the belt against his rival, Dricus Du Plessis.

    There has been tension between the two men that stems back to last year when some comments from “Stillknocks” made this feud personal and intense.

    Now, Du Plessis had added more fuel to the fire with his statements in interviews and the recent press conference, where he gave his feelings on Adesanya’s career.

    Michael Bisping Says Dricus Du Plessis Is Motivating & Firing Up Israel Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 305

    Despite their feud, Du Plessis has made it very clear that he has a lot of respect for everything that Adesanya has accomplished in his career.

    The difference is that the current champion believes his next opponent is not the same man that he used to be anymore and his best days are behind him.

    In a recent video on his YouTube channel, former 185-pound champion Michael Bisping gave his reaction to the words between the two men at the press conference.

    He believes that Du Plessis saying these things about Adesanya could end up backfiring by giving his opponent more venom ahead of their eventual meeting in Perth on August 17.

    “That’s kind of harsh words for Israel Adesanya to hear and for Israel, that’s going to motivate him big time. That’s going to p*** him off, that’s going to grind his gears, that’s going to get in his head, that is going to force him to train his a** off, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see one of the most dangerous, nasty version of Israel Adesanya that we’ve seen.”

    Adesanya’s return comes on Australian soil, where he was shockingly unseated by Sean Strickland last September in Sydney.

    He’ll look to return to the throne inside Perth’s RAC Arena, where fellow Oceania-based fighters like Kai Kara-France, Steve Erceg, Junior Tafa, and Jack Jenkins will also be among those in action.

  • Dricus Du Plessis To Israel Adesanya: ‘I’m Glad You Took Up Golf, Because That’s A Retirement Sport’

    Dricus Du Plessis To Israel Adesanya: ‘I’m Glad You Took Up Golf, Because That’s A Retirement Sport’

    UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis had some strong words for Israel Adesanya when they went face to face for the first time since confirmation of their upcoming fight.

    In a bout that has been a long time in the making, Du Plessis will put his 185-pound gold on the line against the division’s former two-time champ at UFC 305 on August 17.

    The contest in Perth, Australia, will mark Adesanya’s long-awaited return to action almost a year on from his shock setback at the hands of Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney last September.

    That matchup came about after number one contender “Stillknocks” was unable to make the turnaround after his victory over Robert Whittaker through injury. While that delayed the settling of Du Plessis and Adesanya’s grudge, the South African’s subsequent title crowning in Toronto, Canada, this past January brought it back to the surface.

    And ahead of their showdown at RAC Arena next month, the pair went face to face in Perth this week for an on-sale press conference, where they were joined on stage by UFC 305 flyweight opponents Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg.

    Du Plessis Uses Golf Jibe To Outline Plan To ‘Retire’ Adesanya

    As expected, the historical and sensitive nature of Du Plessis and Adesanya’s heated rivalry was a topic of conversation on stage, with the latter again commenting on the South African’s claim regarding African champs.

    After reiterating his defense of that controversy from last year, Du Plessis went in a different direction, using Adesanya’s apparent newfound fondness for golf to predict his impending retirement.

    “I’m glad you took up golf, because that’s a retirement sport,” Du Plessis said.

    During the presser, the pair also engaged in one of the lengthiest and most intense faceoffs in recent memory on stage.

    Suffice to say, there will be plenty more of that when the pair cross paths for promotional events during UFC 305 fight week in August, at the end of which Adesanya will hope to emerge with a third middleweight rule underway.

  • MMA News Today: Dricus Du Plessis Lands Verbal TKO To Israel Adesanya During Heated Staredown At UFC 305 Press Conference, Jon Jones Responds To Rumors Of ‘Spirit Channeling & Magic’ In MMA Following Alex Pereira Fight, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 3, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Du Plessis has the best reply to Adesanya jab
    • Jones gives his side of the story on the use of magic and spirits
    • Diaz knew his own value before taking McGregor opportunity

    Dricus Du Plessis Makes Joking Remark To Israel Adesanya During Heated Faceoff

    Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya came face to face once again during the press conference that went down yesterday, for their upcoming middleweight title fight.

    Before the two rivals meet at UFC 305 on August 17 in Perth, they shared an incredibly tense staredown that is sure to build excitement for their eventual meeting.

    Adesanya appeared to be the one to say something to Du Plessis first during the staredown which the middleweight champion was asked about after the press conference.

    He jokingly made remarks about something that Adesanya’s last opponent, Sean Strickland, also chose to make fun of throughout the build-up to their fight.

    Du Plessis referenced a video of Adesanya and his dog which appears to be a bit of a sore subject for “The Last Stylebender”, as was proven after the Strickland fight.

    “I think he said, ‘Don’t kiss me’, as far as I know. I said I’m no dog so I won’t and you know, I don’t really know what he was saying. I wasn’t really focused on what he was saying.”

    Jon Jones Says He Has Experienced ‘Spirit Channelling’ & Magic’ For Himself Following UFC 303 Controversy

    Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka are two of the most intense individuals in the sport when it comes to fight night.

    Before UFC 303 got underway, Procházka spoke about how he believed “Poatan” was using the help of magic and spirits in his fight, asking him to abstain in their rematch.

    Whilst Pereira offered a classy response to this in his post-fight interview after beating the former champion, UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones is the latest to weigh in on this.

    He posted on social media about how there is some truth to this based on his experiences of stepping into certain arenas and coming up against specific opponents.

    “There has been a lot of talk about spirit channeling and magic in MMA lately. This stuff is all very real. I felt all types of weird energies walking into those arenas. Looking certain opponents in the eyes. I want to let you all know that Jesus Christ is king, he is and always will be undefeated. Every knee shall bow.”

    Nate Diaz Reveals How He Negotiated A Much Higher Purse For His First Fight With Conor McGregor

    Nate Diaz has always been a cult icon in combat sports but UFC 196 was a moment that changed his life forever.

    The Stockton fighter became a huge name overnight when he stepped into the main event on late notice to fight Conor McGregor in one of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport.

    Diaz was well compensated for stepping up to save the day in place of Rafael Dos Anjos but he did have to put his foot down in order to get a much higher purse than was initially offered.

    He told MMA great Demetrious Johnson during an interview on The MightyCast how he knew what his own value was at the time and made sure he was suitably compensated.

    “At the time, it was (the biggest pay check I’d received). But they were trying to give me pennies for that too,” Diaz said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, right. I know what I’m doing here. I’ve been through it.’ I’d already been into it with the organization about that. So they called me and they were like, ‘Hey, while you’re going to do this, we’re going to give you a million dollars.’ I was like, ‘Hey, you’re gonna give me more than that.’

    “So I got like five times more than that because of that. I knew the game by then and I was like, ‘F*ck that,’” Diaz continued. “Remember when I was telling you about how if I fight every two months, I could be rich. That basic math attitude kind of f*cking times 10, times 100, over and over again. So I knew what it was with the whole money in the business and sh*t. I might not be educated but I’m not stupid.”

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • UFC 305 On-Sale Press Conference Highlights: Dricus Du Plessis & Israel Adesanya Have Tense Faceoff In Perth

    UFC 305 On-Sale Press Conference Highlights: Dricus Du Plessis & Israel Adesanya Have Tense Faceoff In Perth

    The top fighters confirmed to be in action at UFC 305 on August 17 took to the stage for an on-sale press conference in the event’s host city this week.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will return to Perth next month for the first time since last February. On that occasion, the RAC Arena played host to local favorite Alexander Volkanovski’s competitive lightweight title challenge against Islam Makhachev.

    This time around, the venue will mark the location for the long-awaited comeback of another standout from the Oceanic region, former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

    Having not competed since his second reign came to a sudden end at the hands of Sean Strickland in Sydney last September, “The Last Stylebender” will look to return to the throne at the expense of rival Dricus Du Plessis, who unseated Strickland at UFC 297 in Toronto this past January.

    Also on the lineup is a teammate of Adesanya’s in Kai Kara-France. With concussion issues keeping him out of a fight close to home 10 months ago and leaving him without Octagon action since a narrow loss to Amir Albazi last May, “Don’t Blink” will look to reinsert his name into the title conversation at flyweight.

    He likely won’t have the backing of the crowd on August 17, however, as he goes up against Perth’s own Steve Erceg. The contest will mark “Astroboy’s” first since falling short of Alexandre Pantoja’s 125-pound gold at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro a couple of months ago.

    With Fight Club Pre-Sale starting on Tuesday, the promotion hosted a press conference in Perth, where Du Plessis, Adesanya, Kara-France, and Erceg all had mics in hand.

    See below for a full replay of the presser, followed by all the highlights and one of the longest, most intense faceoffs in recent memory between the two UFC 305 headliners.

    UFC 305 Press Conference Replay

    UFC 305 Press Conference Highlights

    UFC 305 Press Conference Faceoff

  • VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Longtime Rival Alex Pereira’s Knockout Of Jiří Procházka At UFC 303

    Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya had a stoic reaction as Alex Pereira rendered Jiří Procházka unconscious.

    Pereira headlined this past weekend’s UFC 303 pay-per-view in defense of his light heavyweight title. The Brazilian, who previously held the belt at 185 pounds, was once again tasked with stalling Procházka’s pursuit of two-time status.

    While the finish of their first fight back at UFC 295 last November left many dissatisfied and bemoaning the stoppage as early, that was not the case second time around, as “Poatan” brutally knocking “BJP” out with a head kick and follow-up punches on the ground.

    As has become a common occurrence whenever he enters the cage, Pereira’s latest triumph once again had fans in the arena and at home on their feet yelling Joe Rogan-esque screams.

    But one man’s reaction was a far cry from that…

    Adesanya Reacts To Pereira vs. Procházka 2: ‘Damn, That’s Bad’

    In a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Adesanya and some of his training partners can be seen reacting to the events that unfolded at the International Fight Week event on June 29.

    The Nigerian-New Zealander had a strong connection to the main event, having faced Pereira four times across mixed martial arts and kickboxing, defeating him once by way of KO last April.

    Since the pair last faced off, Pereira has flattened his opponents three times with his renowned power. With that, Adesanya was seemingly not at all shocked by Saturday’s finish and remained stoically reclined on his couch as “Poatan” floored his Czech counterpart with a head kick.

    “Damn, that is bad. Oh, that is bad,” Adesanya said in the immediate after of the finish. “This card was cursed”

    Much has been made about the potential of Pereira and Adesanya competing their MMA trilogy up at light heavyweight down the line.

    For now, “The Last Stylebender” has his sights set on regaining the middleweight gold and settling his grudge with another rival in Dricus Du Plessis, whom Adesanya has gone back and forth with for well over a year.

    They’re set to headline the upcoming UFC 305 event in Perth, Australia, on August 17.

  • VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Reacts To Former Opponents Sean Strickland & Paulo Costa’s UFC 302 Fight

    Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya had a vested interest as Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa shared the cage in this past weekend’s co-main event.

    While Saturday’s UFC 302 pay-per-view event in Newark, New Jersey, closed out in style with a blockbuster championship headliner, it wasn’t short on disappointments. According to most, that included the five-round affair between Strickland and Costa.

    The ex-champ and one-time title challenger promised a bloodbath on fight night during their fight week media appearances. When the cage door closed behind them, though, “Tarzan” was able to methodically outpoint “Borrachinha” across 25 minutes.

    Leading into the event, the matchup was widely pointed to as among the most intriguing on the UFC 302 lineup. With that in mind, plenty of eyes were on the co-headliner, including those of Adesanya.

    Adesanya Reacts To Strickland’s UFC 302 Win: ‘Costa Sucks Off His Back Foot’

    During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya can be seen reacting to the major moments from the UFC 302 main card on Saturday night.

    Having defeated Costa back in 2020 and lost the middleweight title to Strickland just last September, the Nigerian-New Zealander paid close attention to the co-main event at Prudential Center.

    “Costa sucks off the back foot. He’s not really good off the back foot,” Adesanya said. “He’s doing better in this fight. Costa could set him up here, man, ’cause (Strickland’s) so worried about that leg. He’s marching! (laughs)… It’s easier said than done (to stand your ground against Strickland), I’ll tell you that. But if you’ve worked on it, you know how to do it.”

    Adesanya will likely now have the possibility of a second dance with Strickland at the back of his mind. First things first, though, he’ll need to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis to achieve three-time champ status.

    Although yet to be announced, “The Last Stylebender” is expected to serve as the first challenge in the South African’s reign at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, this August.

    Regardless of the result, it would appear that Strickland is in line for a championship rematch against the winner of that grudge match.

  • Israel Adesanya Breaks Down The Difference Between Islam Makhachev & ‘Scary To Watch’ Khabib Nurmagomedov As Fighters

    Israel Adesanya Breaks Down The Difference Between Islam Makhachev & ‘Scary To Watch’ Khabib Nurmagomedov As Fighters

    It was always going to be a tall order for Islam Makhachev to live up to what Khabib Nurmagomedov was able to accomplish in the UFC. However since “The Eagle” retired with his undefeated record intact, Makhachev at three years younger has started to take over at 155 pounds.

    The current lightweight champion can match his coach and training partner’s total title defenses at three this weekend if he is able to beat Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302.

    Despite coming from the same area, team, and dominating style of wrestling, there are some clear differences between the two men…

    Adesanya Says Makhachev Is A Better Striker, But Khabib Was A ‘Savage’

    Potentially due to being the younger of the two, Makhachev has been able to advance his game further than Nurmagomedov in the eyes of some.

    Many point to him being a much better and more natural striker than the former champion, as echoed by Israel Adesanya in his recent breakdown video of Saturday night’s event.

    Despite the improvements that the current titleholder has made in this area, Adesanya also pointed out that there was something that Nurmagomedov had that made him special.

    Something that you can’t teach even to fighters that follow the exact same path as “The Eagle.”

    “I think he’s got better striking than Khabib, but he’s not as — Khabib was just a savage, bro. He was a crazy man, it’s different. He’s just a mauler,” Adesanya said. “What was the one I watched live? (Edson) Barboza, that one. When I saw that live and the pace he put on him, even after eating the wheel kick… that was scary to watch.

    “Makhachev is more clean, more polished, even more dynamic than Khabib,” Adesanya continued. “But yeah, if I’m going to put money on this fight, I’m going to go Islam Makhachev, but look, my heart tells me I want Dustin (Poirier) to win.”     

  • Israel Adesanya Advises Paulo Costa On How He Can Beat Sean Strickland At UFC 302

    Israel Adesanya Advises Paulo Costa On How He Can Beat Sean Strickland At UFC 302

    Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has laid out Paulo Costa’s path to victory over Sean Strickland this weekend.

    Adesanya will no doubt have a keen eye on Saturday’s UFC 302 pay-per-view event in Newark, New Jersey, where two of his former opponents are set to do battle in a five-round co-main event.

    Months on from his rule over the division coming to an end in his first defense at UFC 297, Strickland will look to earn a shot at championship redemption at the expense of one-time title challenger Costa. 

    When it comes to breaking down the skillsets of both men and their best hopes of having their hand raised inside Prudential Center, nobody is better placed than “The Last Stylebender.”

    Adesanya Explains What Costa Must Do At UFC 302

    During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya provided his thoughts and predictions on this Saturday’s numbered event.

    Having prepared to throw down with Strickland himself and shared the Octagon with “Tarzan” for 25 minutes, “The Last Stylebender” is in a strong position to offer some advice for another of his former foes in Costa.

    “Costa, to win — what would Costa have to do? He’ll have to be aggressive, use body kicks, and also just use his jab. Even if he might not land all of them, or some of them, use his jab as well. Go jab for jab with Strickland,” Adesanya said. “And also mix up the grappling, just to get him (Strickland) tired as well.”

    Adesanya evidently isn’t too confident in Costa following the advice to a tee, though, as he went on to predict victory for Strickland at UFC 302.

    That could pave the way for a potential rematch between the Nigerian-New Zealander and his most recent opponent. Adesanya is expected to serve as the first challenger to Dricus Du Plessis later this year, where a win could set up a second dance for either man opposite a victorious “Tarzan” on Saturday night.