Tag: Israel Adesanya

Glover Teixeira brushes off Israel Adesanya helping Jamahal Hill for UFC 300

Glover Teixeira isn’t concerned with Jamahal Hill reaching out to Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC 300.

[autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] isn’t concerned with [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] reaching out to [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] ahead of UFC 300.

Hill (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) sought advice from Adesanya ahead of his title fight against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC), which headlines UFC 300 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Adesanya has fought Pereira four times, including twice in kickboxing. Adesanya was able to win one meeting out of the four – their most recent one at UFC 287 where he won by knockout.

“He is a great fighter and, for sure, he’s in anybody’s corner, he’s going to help anybody,” Teixeira told CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri of Adesanya. “Anybody that comes and sees something different with a high level, he can definitely be a help, for sure, 100 percent. It’s just another help. If you say Izzy or Jon Jones, really some high-level guys, it’s all going to help big time because of the experience.

“It’s not something that’s going to be magic. I say that all the time about me being in Alex’s corner and people saying, ‘Great reason why Alex.’ No, it’s not. Alex would be a champion, he would be where he is, anybody with discipline that have any skills of martial arts would take Alex to the top. It’s him. It’s just the person he is.”

Teixeira retired after losing to Hill in their vacant light heavyweight title fight at UFC 283 in January. He will be able to provide valuable insight to Pereira, just like he did for their common opponent Jiri Prochazka.

“Alex was there rooting for me when I fought Jiri, and Jiri got his hand raised. We were all upset,” Teixeira said. “The next time, Alex went over there and got the title from him to become a champion, and we were all happy about it.

“It feels good in a way. Like, ‘Hey, man, this guy was happy last time, now we got him.’ Jamahal is the same way. It’s not a personal thing. It’s just a game. It’s just the sport. You go in and try to beat the guy that beat you. I don’t think Alex has that in his mind. He’ll fight anyone because you just want to keep that belt.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Israel Adesanya predicts Jamahal Hill will knock out Alex Pereira at UFC 300

Israel Adesanya offers an in-depth breakdown of the UFC 300 main event between Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill.

[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] sees [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] stopping light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] early at UFC 300.

Pereira (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC), a former middleweight champ, makes his first 205-pound title defense against Hill (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Adesanya has fought Pereira four times – twice in kickboxing, and twice in MMA. Adesanya is a combined 1-3 in those fights, but he knocked out Pereira in their most recent outing at UFC 287 and thinks “Poatan” is hittable.

“This fight, Alex is going to try and kick Jamahal’s legs. I don’t think that’s a f*cking secret,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “That’s his thing. Jamahal knows this. Jamahal, I don’t think is scared. Jamahal has got knockout power, scary knockout power, as well.

“Alex can get knocked out. Something Jamahal said, which I don’t know if it was overlooked or not, he said, ‘Who is someone Alex Pereira has just outclassed in a fight? Not just knocked out, but like outclassed in a fight until he knocks them out.'”

Adesanya has confidence in Hill’s power but warns him of Pereira’s inevitable leg kicks.

“Jamahal is just going to try and touch him at some point,” Adesanya said. “But avoiding the leg kicks is the tricky bit, and I know Jamahal has some remedies for that. … Five rounds, so it’s going to be a slow start. The first round, they’ll figure each other out, get some shots off.

“Alex is going to be throwing the leg kick, and Jamahal will be finding his jab and trying to get his fist to Alex’s head. Not just the chin, but his head somewhere because the one with Johnny Walker, that was on the dome. I’m going to go Jamahal by KO, first two-and-a-half (rounds).”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Robert Whittaker: Israel Adesanya fighting for a UFC title again ‘hurts me’

The possibility of Israel Adesanya becoming champion again doesn’t spell out good news for Robert Whittaker.

The possibility of [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] becoming champion again doesn’t spell out good news for [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag].

Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis hinted in an Instagram post that he could be defending his title against Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) at UFC 305 Aug. 17 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

“Looks like someone wants another beating in Aus..
I’m in, I also wouldn’t want to fight the king of Africa on home soil. Manifestations working good for you AGAIN!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Q-BMlNnLH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

Whittaker’s fight vs. Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) June 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was declared a No. 1 contender bout by UFC CEO Dana White.

But considering that Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) has already lost to Adesanya twice in title fights, “The Stylebender” becoming champion could harm his chances at another title shot.

“I think Adesanya fighting for a title again hurts me, but I understand,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “Dricus asked for it. He’s the champ, gets what he wants. Adesanya is a draw. Mate, it seems like the fight that was going to happen, in my opinion.”

If Adesanya is indeed next, he will look to rebound from his upset championship loss to Sean Strickland this past September at UFC 293. Whittaker broke down how he sees the former champion fairing against Du Plessis.

“It’s an interesting fight,” Whittaker said. “I can see Adesanya just piecing him up for five rounds. But in saying that, Dricus is tough as nails, and he’s awkward. I can also see Dricus just getting in there and just making it awkward, and taking him out of his rhythm.

“We saw when Adesanya fought Strickland, Strickland pushing that pace and moving into his space changed the rhythm of the fight. Adesanya didn’t adapt to that very well. I think if Dricus does the same, he might have the same sort of success.”

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Robert Whittaker: UFC didn’t love Sean Strickland as champ, will likely give Israel Adesanya title shot next

Dricus Du Plessis opened the vote to fans on who he should fight next, and Robert Whittaker has chimed in.

[autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] opened the vote to fans on who he should fight next, and [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] has chimed in.

Middleweight champion Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) asked fans if he should settle his grudge match with [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] next, or run things back with [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag], who he dethroned in a close decision win at UFC 297.

Fans voted in favor of Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC), who’s recently been campaigning for an immediate rematch with Du Plessis. But, considering Strickland’s controversial nature, Whittaker doubts the UFC will be on board.

“I don’t know, mate – me,” Whittaker said on his MMArcade Podcast. “Call me out you bum. I can see them making that Izzy fight because of the bad blood between them, because of South Africa and that whole story arc.

“I can’t really see the UFC getting behind Strickland again. I don’t think they loved him as a champ to begin with, so I don’t think they’re really gunning for that rematch. I don’t know.”

Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) suffered a TKO loss to Du Plessis at UFC 290 last July, but rebounded with an impressive performance over Paulo Costa at UFC 298. The former champion thinks Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) getting the next title shot benefits him, as he’s eyeing a fight with Strickland next.

“I’m kind of hoping Dricus gets Izzy in a sense, just so that I can fight Strickland,” Whittaker said.

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Sean Strickland rematch or Israel Adesanya next? UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis opens vote to fans

UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis is willing to consider fighting Sean Strickland again.

UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] is willing to consider fighting [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] again.

Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) defeated Strickland by split decision to claim the 185-pound title at UFC 297 in January. He is projected to make his first title defense against [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] – a fight the promotion tried to make for UFC 300 on April 13. Du Plessis turned it down due to not being recovered from injuries yet.

Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) argued that he was robbed and called for a rematch. Du Plessis didn’t shut him down and instead pivoted to the fans to get their input.

“Since this is a spectator sport What do you guys think @SStricklandMMA or @stylebender Just for the record it makes absolutely no difference to me the result will be the same.”

During the UFC 297 post-fight news conference, UFC CEO Dana White said he scored the fight for Strickland, after having it tied 2-2 going into Round 5. Du Plessis saw it completely differently.

“I agree I won 4 in a row.”

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) hasn’t competed since losing his middleweight title to Strickland this past September at UFC 293. He announced that he’d be taking some time off, but is already ready to compete again.

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Dricus Du Plessis says injury prevented him from defending title vs. Israel Adesanya at UFC 300

Middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis tells Israel Adesanya “you don’t dictate when I fight” in explaining why he couldn’t at UFC 300.

Middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] wasn’t healthy enough to make UFC 300.

[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC), whom Du Plessis called out after he captured the middleweight title from Sean Strickland in January, revealed that Du Plessis rejected to fight him at UFC 300 on April 13.

Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) confirmed that he was approached for UFC 300, which would have been a less than three-month turnaround. However, the South African fighter says he injured both legs in his fight against Strickland and wasn’t about to defend his title while compromised.

“With the conversations of 300, that would’ve been a massive fight with me and Izzy,” Du Plessis said on Cameron Saaiman’s “MSP Show.” “It was on the table, 100 percent, but one thing people don’t realize is why would I go and start a camp once again, injured, if I am the champion?

“Taking risks is one thing. I have been taking risks a lot, but why would I risk? I’m the champion now, and I can fight when I’m ready. I think Izzy misjudges himself as still being a champion, and he’s not. You will fight when you get the opportunity. You don’t dictate when I fight.”

Du Plessis suggests they fight in Africa instead, something Adesanya said before that he was open to.

“The fight’s going to happen,” Du Plessis said. “He’s been a big mouth about coming to South Africa and dragging carcasses. I mean, that’s what he said. So, be a man of your word. Step up, do it. Let’s make UFC Africa, let’s make that happen. Obviously, that is what I would love in an ideal situation. Fighting Israel Adesanya on African and South African soil.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Israel Adesanya: Paulo Costa ‘doesn’t really mix it up,’ loses to Robert Whittaker at UFC 298

Israel Adesanya believes Robert Whittaker has more tools to win than Paulo Costa at UFC 298.

[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] believes [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] has more tools to win than [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag].

Whittaker (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) takes on Costa (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 298 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) co-main event at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Former middleweight champion Adesanya has knocked out both fighters in title fights but expects Whittaker’s grappling to play a key factor. He believes Costa’s approach is limited.

“Stylistically, I will say I think Rob’s going to wrestle him,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “Rob can definitely land the takedown. Maybe not early on. Early on, I think it’d be f*cking hard. Rob will be at the distance. Faints, pump faking, doing his f*cking oblique kick. Costa will – I don’t think he’ll try and bait Rob or anything like that. I think he’ll go to Rob. I think he might not respect Rob unless Rob gets some respect straight away with the jab or his leg kicks or right hand or something.

“Costa will try and walk him down. If Rob’s smart, don’t get to the fence because that’s when he’ll bully you. Use good footwork. If Rob ends up behind the black line, that’s when Costa’s going to put that pressure and just try and body work him, because he does his best work when people are on the fence. Footwork from Rob to stay away from the fence. Costa to win, he just has to maybe – he doesn’t really mix it up. He barely kicks, like low kicks or anything. He likes to box, boxing heavy. I think against Rob that’s very limited.”

Adesanya predicts that former champion Whittaker will get his hand raised.

“I feel Rob will win by decision, UD (unanimous decision),” Adesanya concluded. “He’s going to land a couple takedowns. Depends who shows up. He might rock Costa, but I don’t think so.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

Eugene Bareman: Israel Adesanya ‘basically finished his little hiatus,’ ready to come back

Eugene Bareman says Israel Adesanya is edging closer to coming back.

Eugene Bareman says [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] is inching closer to coming back.

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) announced that he’ll be taking some time off after losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland this past September at UFC 293.

According to his head coach Bareman, Adesanya has been staying ready at City Kickboxing in case he gets the call for a fight.

“Izzy’s back training, so he’s back in the swing of things,” Bareman told Combat TV. “We’re training just in case there’s an eventuality of a fight. We’re getting him fit and he’s getting ready to take up a potential date should one come up soon. He’s basically finished his little hiatus and he’s ready to come back. So just give us a date, give us an opponent and we’ll show up ready to go.”

With UFC 300 yet to have a main event announced, Adesanya’s name has been linked to both middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. With a scheduled date of April 13, UFC 300 is just under two months away, and Bareman hints that Adesanya will be ready to go right around that time.

“We’ve been going for a good month-and-a-half now, so he’s probably on the edge of starting to look like he’s getting started to get back in shape,” Bareman said. “A couple more months, another month-and-a-half, he’ll be flying. He’ll be back to pre-hiatus kind of level.

“He’s looking good. It’s good to have him back in the gym. He seems to have a renewed sort of energy, and he’s definitely resided to looking after himself really well. He’s been making the most of his time off and he feels like he’s refreshed and ready to go.”

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Israel Adesanya says Alexander Volkanovski about to remind everybody vs. Ilia Topuria: ‘How quickly they forget’

Israel Adesanya paid Alexander Volkanovski a visit ahead of UFC 298.

[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] paid [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] a visit ahead of UFC 298.

Featherweight champion Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) defends his title against Ilia Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the Feb. 17 main event at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Former middleweight champion Adesanya traveled to Wollongong, Australia to spend some time training with Volkanovski at his gym Freestyle MMA. The pair have often spent numerous training camps together at City Kickboxing, where Volkanovski also trains.

“I want to see him in his house on the home stretch, see where his mind set’s at, see how sharp he is and draw energy from it,” Adesanya said on Volkanovski’s YouTube channel. “That’s why I’m here.”

Volkanovski has never lost at featherweight. He’s coming off a knockout loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev this past October at UFC 294, but Adesanya is confident that Volkanovski will silence any doubters against undefeated Topuria.

“Sharp, blade,” Adesanya said of Volkanovski. “My man, he’s on. I like what he said in one of the lead-ups. He said, ‘How quickly they forget,’ and I know that feeling. How quickly they forget. But again, this is where we come through. It’s time to remind them. He’s about to do that in Anaheim.”

Adesanya is on a quest to remind everyone himself after losing his middleweight title this past September at UFC 293. “The Stylebender” took some time off but has hinted at returning soon.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

Dricus Du Plessis open to UFC 300 if healthy but thinks Israel Adesanya is ‘perfect fight’ for UFC Africa

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis really wants the Israel Adesanya fight to happen in Africa.

UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] thinks the [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] fight has to happen in Africa.

After claiming the middleweight title with a split decision win over Sean Strickland this past Saturday at UFC 297, Du Plessis (21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) reignited his feud with Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) by calling him out.

UFC 300 would be a marquee event for their grudge match, but Du Plessis isn’t sure if he could turn around for the April 13 card in time.

“Nothing is certain yet, but that is what we want to do,” Du Plessis told eNCA and other reporters during a press conference upon his return home. “UFC 300 is a big possibility if my body allows it. I took some punishment obviously with some small injuries.

“I’m not 100 percent sure what the gravity of those injuries are. I’m going to the doctor after this and making sure concussion tests are done, making sure we do the scans, making sure that there’s nothing serious injured. Then UFC 300 is a big, big possibility.”

Du Plessis was expected to face Adesanya when “The Last Stylebender” was still middleweight champ, which led to their heated face off at UFC 290. However, the fight never materialized after Strickland stepped up to face Adesanya instead and upset him at UFC 293.

Considering their African roots, Du Plessis would love to settle the score with Adesanya at home.

“I have to be honest with you,” Du Plessis said. “If UFC Africa is going to happen, you’re going to look very far beyond to find a more perfect fight than me vs. Israel Adesanya and that’s a fight I want right here on home soil where he said he wants to make it happen.”

 

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.