Tag: Israel Adesanya

Jack Hermansson says wins for Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya will clear path to UFC title shot

Jack Hermansson is on the cusp of middleweight title contention and has already mapped out how he wants the division to play out.

[autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] is on the cusp of middleweight title contention and he has already mapped out how he wants the division to play out.

Hermansson (21-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) picked up an impressive first-round submission win over Kelvin Gastelum in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN+ 30, and with some of the division’s top names ahead of him in the rankings already matched up, the Norwegian is starting to plot his route to the title.

Former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] takes on Darren Till in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 14 main event and UFC middleweight champ [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] faces Paulo Costa in the UFC 253 headliner on Sept. 19.

Hermansson is eyeing the winner of the Whittaker vs. Till matchup, which he sees propelling him to a title shot. But, strategically speaking, Hermansson hopes Whittaker and Adesanya win, since he doubts the UFC would book an Adesanya vs. Whittaker rematch so soon, considering that Adesanya just beat the Australian last October.

“The best scenario is probably if Israel wins and Whittaker wins, maybe I can fight Whittaker and go for that,” Hermansson told MMA Junkie. “If Costa wins, then maybe they want to give Whittaker the title shot and we’ll see.”

Hermansson admits that, while he does predict that Whittaker stops Till, he sees Costa dethroning the champion.

“I believe the cardio, he will be fine,” Hermansson said of Costa. “I think if it’s gonna be a decision, I believe Costa will win and I believe Costa can stop him, as well. If Adesanya wins, it’s probably by a knockout when Costa is pressuring forward. I do believe Israel will have some problems with Costa when he’s pushing forward with that powerful physique. It’s gonna be hard for Izzy to keep his distance, so it’s gonna be a good fight.”

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Robert Whittaker says Israel Adesanya has the skillset to beat Paulo Costa at UFC 253

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker says new champ Israel Adesanya has the edge in his UFC 253 clash with Paulo Costa.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] has the tools to defeat [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] and retain his UFC middleweight title.

Former UFC middleweight champ Whittaker (20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC), is ideally placed to give his assessment on Adesanya, having recently lost his title to “The Last Stylebender” this past October at UFC 243.

Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is set to face Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC 253 on Sept. 19, and while Whittaker acknowledges Costa’s strength, he thinks Adesanya has what it takes to get the job done.

“I think Adesanya has the skillset necessary to beat Costa,” Whittaker told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Tuesday’s UFC on ESPN 14 media day. “He’s very technical, he’s very good. He’s a good fighter. I don’t like him very much, but he’s a good fighter. But Costa’s dangerous. He’s so explosive, he’s got mad cardio and hits like a truck. Look at the size of him. I’m sure that does something. I’m sure that has something to do with why he keeps hurting people.”

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Despite just losing his title and taking some time off to recharge, Whittaker finds himself potentially one fight away from another crack at the title. He faces [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag] (18-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 14 main event at Flash Forum at Yas Island.

But Whittaker admits he’s not focused on title implications and is just happy to be back.

“I’m not worrying about it at all, because a huge thing for me is that I’m enjoying the game,” Whittaker said. “I’m enjoying the sport. I’m enjoying the gym because people view me as a top contender – because I am a top contender. I’m one of the best in the world, and I’m still only 29. I think a lot of people forget that, as well. I have enough time to walk away from the game and just train skillsets and come back at a later time.

“Honestly, the world is my oyster where I’m sitting, and I guess my biggest thing is I want to enjoy it and earn a living, and that’s it. As a team, as a family, we’re doing it together, so (I’ve) got to be happy with that.”

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Spinning Back Clique: The agony and ecstasy of UFC on ESPN+ 30

Check out this week’s edition of “Spinning Back Clique” with special guest “Big” John McCarthy.

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week, Simon Head hosts and is joined by MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George, reporter Farah Hannoun, and special guest “Big” John McCarthy.

SHOW TOPICS

  • UFC on ESPN+ 30 truly was a case of agony and ecstasy as [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] left no doubt in his rematch with [autotag]Joseph Benavidez[/autotag], scoring a first-round submission win to claim the vacant flyweight title. Just how impressive was Figueiredo’s performance, and what’s next for him? On the flip, how badly do you feel for Benavidez, and where does he go from here after losing his fourth UFC title fight?
  • We knew it was coming, but now it’s official: [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] will defend his middleweight title against [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] on Sept. 19 at UFC 253. Simple question: What aspect of this highly anticipated showdown intrigues you the most?
  • There really isn’t any debate about [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]’s standing in the UFC bantamweight division: He should be next in line for champion Petr Yan. And yet, UFC president Dana White will not commit to Sterling as the No. 1 contender. What’s the meaning behind this?
  • UFC on ESPN 14 features a big middleweight main event between former champ [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] and [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag], with both men looking to claim their next shot at the title. Who needs this win more?
  • Bellator is back this weekend for the first time in five months with Bellator 242. Now that the promotion is ready to get back into full swing, which fight do you want to see booked ASAP?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 38 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.

Spinning Back Clique: The agony and ecstasy of UFC on ESPN+ 30

Legendary MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy joins the Spinning Back Clique crew as they unpack another busy night at UFC on ESPN+ 30, and discuss the biggest stories in MMA this week

Legendary MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy joins the Spinning Back Clique crew as they unpack another busy night at UFC on ESPN+ 30, and discuss the biggest stories in MMA this week

Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa middleweight title fight set for UFC 253

The grudge match between UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and unbeaten contender Paulo Costa finally has a date.

The grudge match between UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya [/autotag]and unbeaten contender [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] finally has a date.

Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) will make his second title defense when he meets Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC 253, which takes place Sept. 19, likely on “Fight Island” at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

MMA Junkie verified both sides have agreed to the details following an initial report from Brazilian news outlet Combate.

Costa, No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA middleweight rankings, will attempt to extend the undefeated start to his MMA career to 20 consecutive fights. After claiming the UFC title from Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in October, “The Last Stylebender” registered his first defense against Yoel Romero at UFC 248 in March.

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No. 2-ranked Costa, meanwhile, has not competed since a win of his own against Romero at UFC 241 in August. The Brazilian would have gotten his title shot earlier, but he suffered a shoulder injury which required surgery. He’s been keen to get his hands on Adesanya, though, as he’s verbally attacked the champion to an endless degree for more than a year.

The latest UFC 253 card now includes:

  • Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa – for middleweight title
  • Mackenzie Dern vs. Randa Markos
  • Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
  • Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane

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Jorge Masvidal, Israel Adesanya revealed as EA UFC 4 cover athletes

Two of the UFC’s top stars, Jorge Masvidal and Israel Adesanya, will share the cover of the new “EA UFC 4” video game set to release this year.

The two fighters who shared various nominations for 2019 “Fighter of the Year” now grace of the cover of the EA UFC 4 video game.

UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] and “BMF” champ [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], who meets Kamaru Usman for the welterweight belt tonight at UFC 251, have been announced as the dual cover athletes of the next edition of the UFC’s official video, which is set for release Aug. 11 on Xbox One and Playstation 4.

“I am the face of the new wave of UFC fighters, so it feels right to represent the sport on this new generation UFC game,” Adesanya said. “I look forward to my fans playing as me as much as I have enjoyed playing as myself.”

“MMA is more than about the belt,” Masvidal said. “It’s about who you are as a person and the determination that drives a fighter to go from unknown to selling out arenas all over the world. I grew up backyard fighting so it’s exciting for me to see that style of fighting come to UFC 4 where players can bring out their Gamebred mentality.”

According to a release, the EA UFC 4 video game will featured an overhauled takedown system and ground game as well as updates to other various aspects of the game. Some specialty players will be included too, with top-level heavyweight boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua available as playable character.

More details on EA UFC 4 gameplay and career mode can be found below, courtesy of the official announcement from EA.

In gameplay, fluid clinch-to-strike combinations offer more responsive and authentic stand-up gameplay experiences, while overhauled takedown and ground mechanics deliver more control in those key phases of the fight. No matter how or where players play, EA SPORTS UFC 4 puts them at the center of every fight. Fluid clinch control brings RPM into the art of the ‘clinch’, adding a key element of strategy to the striking system. RPM Tech drives a takedown overhaul, with a slew of new takedown animations, driven by player control and fighter attributes. A new submission system was built to offer a simplified player experience, with more ways to transition into submission attempts, accelerate a finish, or deploy high-impact slams to escape them.

Additionally, an overhaul to Career Mode introduces a brand-new way to develop fighter backstories and offers an in-depth evolution process for the duration of the fighter’s career. The new fighter evolution feature lets players dictate a fighter’s skillset, as every punch thrown, or every takedown executed builds fighters up in that specific discipline. Relationship Building brings the impact of partnerships and rivalries into UFC 4, learning from both friend and foe to gain experience and learn vital skills. Players can pick their path, which allows them to choose the fights, weight class and rivalries they want, ensuring no two careers are alike.

Check out the EA UFC 4 release trailer above.

Eric Albarracin: Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya as ‘TUF’ coaches would result in ‘level 10 type of intensity’

Eric Albarracin thinks Paulo Costa and Israel Adesanya coaching “The Ultimate Fighter” would take their rivalry to the next level.

Eric Albarracin can’t wait for the build-up between [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] and [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag].

The undefeated Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) is next in line to challenge UFC middleweight champion Adesanya (19-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), but it looks as though the pair will coach “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series first.

Though no official announcement have been made for the revived version of the show, which last aired in 2018, Albarracin said he’s excited by the potential. Costa’s coach is confident the opportunity would help take the rivalry to the next level, resulting in a barnburner of a title fight.

“That’s gonna be the greatest ‘Ultimate Fighter’ in history, if not the greatest middleweight title fight in history,” Albarracin told MMA Junkie Radio. “Because ‘The Eraser’ Paulo Costa, ‘Borrachinha’ (is) 13-0, 12 knockouts vs. ‘The Last Stylebender’ 19-0, we all know he’s the 185-pound champ, we all know they’re at each other’s throats.

“He called him Ricky Martin in Australia and I always say, ‘Yeah, he looks like Ricky Martin but he hits like Mike Tyson.’ I can’t wait to see these guys (coach) a whole season. Who’s not gonna want to watch that? These guys at each other’s throats. By the end of the season, it’s gonna be a level 10 type of intensity between those guys.”

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It’s no secret that Costa and Adesanya aren’t fond of each other. The two continuously traded barbs for some time. Costa was front row in Melbourne, Australia, when Adesanya unified the middleweight titles with a knockout of Robert Whittaker last October. But after Costa suffered a bicep injury, Adesanya ended up facing Yoel Romero in his most recent defense.

Adesanya beat Romero in a rather uneventful affair at UFC 248 in March and Costa made sure to let him know about it. The fight between Costa and Adesanya has been brewing for almost a year now, and Albarracin thinks a season of “TUF” would only spark things up even more.

Now it remains to be seen if the UFC gives the green light to reviving the series which has been an instrumental part of the company’s history and success.

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Video: UFC fighters rally together to send message in support of ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement

Watch UFC fighters take a stand against racism and police brutality in support of “Black Lives Matter.”

The death of George Floyd impacted and inspired many to take a stand against police brutality and racism not just in America, but also around the world.

Floyd’s tragic death in the hands of Minneapolis police last month has sparked protests around the country and has been the center of news media around the world.

Many organizations and prominent figures in politics, entertainment, sports, and several other sectors have backed the “Black Lives Matter” efforts to push for a change in police reform in America and end racism.

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Many UFC athletes have been seen individually protesting and taking a stand against racism in the world. In a recent video, several UFC fighters rallied together to abolish racism and police brutality, and show solidarity and support of “Black Lives Matter.”

Among the fighters included on the video are UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag], Hall of Famer [autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag], [autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag], [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag], [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag], former strawweight champ [autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] and many others.

Below is the video UFC fighters put together in support of the movement:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CBRGQRWh0xf/

Israel Adesnya speaks at Black Lives Matter rally: ‘I’m pissed off’

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya gave an impassioned speech during a Black Lives Matter rally outside the U.S. Embassy in Auckland.

The Black Lives Matter protests following last week’s killing of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer have gone worldwide, and a prominent UFC voice has lent his name to the cause. 

UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] addressed a BLM rally outside the U.S. Embassy in his adopted hometown of Auckland, New Zealand on Sunday (Monday locally) and made it clear that he is fed up with how police treat people of African descent and racism in general.

“I’m pissed off,” Adesanya told the crowd. “Wait, hold up. How many of you walk into a store and have to put your hands behind your back just so they don’t think you’re stealing? How many of you walk down the street and have to kind of smile and try to make you see the person who already is scared of you, you make them feel comfortable?”

Adesanya also said that even in his new home, he feels he has to be deferential to white people who presume him to be guilty of something when he hasn’t done anything wrong.

“I just moved to a spot,” Adesanya said. “I’m at the top. I go in the elevator, three times already I’ve had to have racist, sacred white people jump when they see me, so I smile at them. So now I gotta go to the side and let them walk through just so they don’t get scared when they see me.

“Why? Because I’m black. Just because I’m black. What did I do? I didn’t have a choice. If I had a choice, I’d still be black.”

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The undefeated champion also understands that people like Derek Chauvin, who has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder in Floyd’s death, do not represent all non-black people, and he had a message for those of all races who showed up at the rally.

“We’ve been talking for so long, we’ve been marching for so long, but it’s not about us now,” Adesanya said. “Shoutout to all the white people, all the people of different races being here, because we need you. We need you to speak up. We need you to say something, because like he said, I’m sick and tired of seeing those face get killed because, guess what, I see myself in them. And it’s heartbreaking. man. I’m pissed off.”

You can watch Adesnya’s speech in the video below:

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Paulo Costa expects Israel Adesanya to fight him like he did Yoel Romero

No surprises.

[autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] expects UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] to approach their fight in much the same way he did his recent title defense against Yoel Romero.

Adesanya defeated Romero in a largely uneventful matchup at UFC 248, as the champ chopped away at the Cuban’s legs en route to a win on the scorecards. Costa (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) made it clear that he was far from impressed with Adesanya’s performance and has dismissed his power, despite Adesanya’s 14 career knockouts.

Adesanya recently told MMA Junkie that he’s planning to surprise people by forcing Costa onto his back foot when they fight. But Costa merely laughed at the suggestion and remains confident that he will finish Adesanya early.

“He will never surprise the people and pressure somebody, because he never did that,” Costa told MMA Junkie. “Never in his whole life, because just one thing I can prove (why) he will not do that (is) because he doesn’t have power. He doesn’t have power to knock out somebody, make pressure on somebody, so he just has one chance, on the counter. So, if he cannot counter, he cannot do nothing. He will make the same fight he did against Romero, just wait, and when Romero comes in, he goes out.

“I will go inside him, pressure him and knock him out – first or second round, not more. Believe me, not more. Not more because he can’t handle powerful guys with his very fragile chin. He will go down or on his body. Doesn’t matter.”

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Costa’s last fight was a unanimous decision win over common opponent Romero in an absolute barnburner, with both men starting to slow down towards the end.

However, Costa says fans shouldn’t expect him to come out the same way he did against Romero, as he will be ready for the championship rounds.

“It’s impossible to go so hard like I did against Romero for five rounds,” Costa said. “You need to save some energy, but I know this. I will save a little bit more enegy than I saved against Romero.”