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Tag: Israel Adesanya

  • Retirement talks looming for Israel Adesanya as future in MMA remains uncertain

    Retirement talks looming for Israel Adesanya as future in MMA remains uncertain

    Mixed martial arts icon, Israel Adesanya, may be on the verge of calling time on his illustrious career, according to recent comments from his long-time coach, Eugene Bareman.

    The former UFC middleweight champion, affectionately known as “The Last Stylebender,” has experienced an unprecedented three-fight losing streak — the first in his decorated journey through combat sports. This has sparked widespread speculation about whether the 34-year-old will ever return to the Octagon.

    Adesanya, who made a seamless transition from kickboxing to MMA, stunned the world by not only capturing the UFC middleweight title but defending it successfully five times.

    His unique style and confident persona made him a global superstar and arguably one of the biggest names the sport has ever produced.

    Coach Bareman, speaking on Adesanya’s current state, admitted even he is unsure of what lies ahead.

    “Izzy is being Izzy,” Bareman said. “I don’t know what he’s doing next, but that’s a good place to be. He’s just doing him.”

    While no official decision has been made, Bareman hinted that retirement is a possibility being seriously considered.

    “If he’s going to fight again, then he’s going to fight again,” he added. “If he’s not, we’ve been blessed, I’ve been blessed, the world’s been blessed, the team’s been blessed. But it’s completely up to him.”

    Adesanya’s legacy, however, remains firmly intact. Under the City Kickboxing banner, alongside fighters like Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, and Carlos Ulberg, no one has come close to achieving his level of dominance and global recognition.

    Whether or not fans have witnessed the last of Adesanya inside the cage, his impact on the sport is undeniable. If this is indeed the end, his name will forever be etched among the greatest in UFC history.i

  • Just in; Imavov knocks out Israel Adesanya in UFC fight

    Just in; Imavov knocks out Israel Adesanya in UFC fight

     

    Israel Adesanya finds himself in a dangerous position in the middleweight division after suffering a shocking knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.

    The middleweight bout was the UFC Fight Night 250 main event at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Adesanya kicked high and to the body in the first few seconds.

    A minute in, Imavov got inside for a quick combination, but had to fend off a high kick from the ex-champ on the exit. When Imavov stayed after a slightly sloppy double-leg takedown, Adesanya turned tables on him and pulled off a short throw of his own in defense.

    Moments later, he again staved off an Imavov clinch attempt.

    With about 70 seconds left in the opening frame, just when it looked like Adesanya had mastered the range against Imavov with stance switches and general evasiveness, Imavov popped Adesanya’s head back with a tight uppercut to make an impression.

    In the second, Adesanya complained of an eye poke and got a brief stoppage. But he very quickly asked Marc Goddard to get things going again. And no sooner did that happen, Imavov drilled Adesanya with a right hand and put him on the canvas. Imavov pounced on him on the fence immediately, and a left uppercut along the cage was worse. Several more punches from Imavov, and things were done in a stunner.
    “I said it all week long that I was in perfect shape,” Imavov told Paul Felder in his post-fight interview. “I proved it tonight that I was the better striker. Now the real bonus for me is going to be to fight for the belt”.
    The loss was Adesanya’s third straight – and his first in a non-title fight. In fact, the fight was his first non-title fight in about six years.

    Imavov now can make a great case for a middleweight title shot. He has won seven of his past eight fights, and the lone loss in that stretch was up a weight class at light heavyweight against ex-middleweight champ Sean Strickland. Along with Adesanya, his four-fight winning streak features a stoppage of recent title challenger Jared Cannonier

  • Dricus Du Plessis defeats Adesanya to retain UFC title

    Dricus Du Plessis defeats Adesanya to retain UFC title

    In a tense battle at UFC 305, South African fighter, Dricus Du Plessis retained his middleweight title, defeating Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya by submission in the fourth round.

    The grudge match, fueled by pre-fight tensions over race and identity, culminated dramatically as Du Plessis secured the victory with a rear-naked choke.

    Adesanya, a former two-time champion, entered the fight determined to reclaim the belt he lost to Sean Strickland last September.

    Despite trailing 2-1 on the scorecards heading into the fourth round, Du Plessis turned the tide with powerful hooks and jabs, followed by a decisive takedown.

    Once he locked Adesanya into the choke, the Nigerian-born fighter had no choice but to submit.

    The fight began with both fighters showing aggression, with Adesanya landing sharp counters and cutting Du Plessis on the forehead early on. However, the South African’s pressure and wrestling skills proved too much for Adesanya as the fight progressed.

    The intense bout was marked by a tense atmosphere, stemming from Du Plessis’ claim of being the first “real” African UFC champion, a statement that did not sit well with Adesanya.

    Adesanya cut Du Plessis early in the first round, but Du Plessis took control in the second with effective wrestling, dragging Adesanya down twice. The third round saw intense exchanges on the feet as both men battled for dominance, setting up a dramatic finish.

    The submission win solidifies the South African’s position at the top of the middleweight division and leaves Adesanya pondering his next move after a bitter loss.

  • UFC: Strikland stuns Israel Adesanya to snatch UFC middleweight

    UFC: Strikland stuns Israel Adesanya to snatch UFC middleweight

    Underdog Sean Strickland pulled off a stunning upset to defeat Israel Adesanya and claim the UFC middleweight title at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.

    Strickland won by unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards after an enthralling five-round battle.

    American Strickland taunted Adesanya in the closing seconds of the final frame, confident of victory after 25 minutes of stalking his opponent.

    He defended brilliantly and used his boxing to force Adesanya to fight off the back foot.

    Adesanya, who has ruled the roost as middleweight champ for most of the last four years, failed to find a way to break Strickland down.

    The 34-year-old Nigerian was caught several times by stiff jabs from Strickland that slowed him down.

    “Oh my God, literally never in a million years did I thought I’d be here,” Strickland said in an interview in the cage.

    This was after UFC president Dana White wrapped the championship belt around his waist.

    After giving him a hostile reception on his way to the octagon and cheering for Adesanya, who grew up in neighbouring New Zealand, throughout, the crowd hailed the new champion for his gutsy performance.

    “The majority of my friends he’s beaten pretty easily, so I was even kind of doubting myself, but I’ve gotta say to the fans, you guys motivated me,” Strickland said.

    Strickland set the course for victory with a thunderous right hand at the end of the first round.

    He almost secured a knockout, and though Adesanya managed to make it to the break, he never really got going again after that.

    Known for his creative striking, the Nigerian-born Adesanya became increasingly desperate as the fight wore on.

    He won only one of the five rounds, with the three judges awarding the rest to Strickland on identical 49-46 scorecards.

  • Video: How Israel Adesanya was welcomed in New Zealand after heroic win against Alex Pereira

    Video: How Israel Adesanya was welcomed in New Zealand after heroic win against Alex Pereira

    A video has surfaced online where Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya was seen being adored my many New Zealand citizens in far away Auckland.

    A twin flag of Nigeria and New Zealand was placed in front of the martial art king with many of the citizens displaying Adesanya’s celebration style.

    The Nigerian Martial Art king stood still as he watched the New Zealanders appreciate him for what he does.

    The newly crowned champion was welcomed with great enthusiasm and admiration by the locals, who held a grand ceremony in his honor.
    One of the highlights of the event was a traditional Haka dance, which was performed by a group of local fans as a mark of respect for Adesanya’s achievement.
    Recall that last week, he defeated Alex Pereira at UFC 287.
    Adesanya, who grew up in New Zealand, was moved by the ceremony, and it is likely that rarely any athletes had ever experienced anything like it before.

    Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya is a Nigerian and New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and former boxer with multiple championships in all three disciplines

  • Nigeria has corrupt leaders – UFC Fighter, Israel Adesanya

    Nigeria has corrupt leaders – UFC Fighter, Israel Adesanya

    Nigerian born New Zealand UFC fighter, Israel Adesanya has labeled Nigeria a very corrupt country.

    According to him, there are a lot of red flags in the country but he loves Nigeria regardless.

    The Last Stylebender was featured in the recent episode of the Hut Boxin’ audiovisual podcast.

    Adesanya pointed out that the Nigerian leaders are desperate to loot public funds.

    He said, “Nigeria is a very corrupt place. I love my people but it is just that the government; everyone trying to find a way to siphon money.”

    Recall that Israel Adesanya donned the Nigerian flag as he defeated long-term foe Alex Pereira via knockout at UFC 287 on April 9, 2023, to reclaim his Middleweight title.

    He was paid $3.18 million for his fight against the Brazilian, making him the third current highest-paid UFC Fighter, behind Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.

    It is his highest-ever payout.

    Adesanya always carries the Nigerian flag alongside that of New Zealand whenever he is about to fight.

  • UFC fight: Drake wins $1.84 million in bet on Israel Adesanya

    UFC fight: Drake wins $1.84 million in bet on Israel Adesanya

    Rapper Aubrey Drake Graham, popularly known only as Drake has won $2.7 million after Israel Adesanya knocked out Alex Pereira at UFC 287.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Israel Adesanya knocked out Alex Pereira at UFC 287 to reclaim the middleweight title on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, Drake placed a $400,000 bet on Adesanya to win by knockout and won $2.7 million after the fight, which Adesanya ended up winning by knockout.

    The award-winning rapper placed two huge bets on Adesanya to beat Pereira at UFC .

    Drake placed a $500,000 bet on Adesanya to win, which returned $885,000 and a $400,000 bet for him to win by knockout, which returned a massive $1.8 million.

    When asked about Drake’s bet after his fight, Adesanya said: “Shoutout to everyone that bet on me but you have to realise that when I step into the octagon I put my life on the line. That’s the biggest parlay you can ever do.

    “I’m a betting man too so shoutout to stake, we are about to make another deal and get more money.”

    TNG reports Drake had previously lost $1.6 million after backing Adesanya in previous fights.

  • UFC: How Adesanya knocked out Pereira in just 2 rounds [VIDEO]

    UFC: How Adesanya knocked out Pereira in just 2 rounds [VIDEO]

    Israel Adesanya pulled off a stunning knockout win over Alex Pereira to reclaim the middleweight crown at UFC 287 at the Kaseya Centre on Saturday.

    He downed the Brazilian in the second round to avenge his only UFC defeat at middleweight.

    Before the knockout, all three judges called the first round in favour of Adesanya.

    After a cagey opening frame that saw Pereira target Adesanya’s lead leg with brutal kicks, the fight burst into life in the second, with both men landing head kicks early.

    But Adesanya’s crisp boxing soon began to tell.

    With the second round winding down, Adesanya was backed up against the cage.

    But he suddenly uncorked a huge right hand and followed it up with another to knock Pereira out cold and take back the belt he lost to the Brazilian in November.

    Adesanya followed Pereira down to the mat but referee Dan Mirgliotta waved the fight off, returning the Nigerian-born New Zealander to the top of the middleweight pile.

    This is a weight class he has dominated for the last four years.

    “I played possum a bit … look at me, I am here, he is here, that last one (punch) had everything. That last hammer fist was from the gods,” Adesanya said in a post-fight interview in the cage.

    The 33-year-old told the fans in attendance that he hoped they would have the chance to feel the same joy that he was feeling in that moment.

    “If you stay down, you will never ever get that resolve. Fortify your mind and feel this level of happiness as you rise,” said Adesanya, who had never beaten Pereira in MMA or kickboxing in three previous meetings.

    In the co-main event, local favourite Jorge Masvidal announced his retirement in the cage after losing a unanimous decision to Brazil’s Gilbert Burns.

    This will be Adesanya’s 8th UFC title fight win, the 2nd most win in middleweight history.

  • [BREAKING] UFC: Israel Adesanya knocks out Pereira

    [BREAKING] UFC: Israel Adesanya knocks out Pereira

    Israel Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight title after beating long-term rival Alex Pereira at UFC 287.

    It took Israel just two rounds to end Pereira’s dominance and reclaim the middleweight title he lost last November.

    Bookmakers had favoured Adesanya to win, but you many not be too far from the truth if you say even he didn’t see his victory coming that quick.

    Details to follow…

  • US police nab former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya

    US police nab former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya

    Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has been arrested for taking brass knuckles through security and John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.

    The 33-year-old Nigerian-New Zealander professional kickboxer, who lost his title by TKO to Alex Pereira in New York last Saturday, was arrested by Port Authority police in the American Airlines terminal on Wednesday.

    According to a report on Daily Mail, a Port Authority spokesperson at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York confirmed the arrest, saying Adesanya was booked for possessing ‘metal knuckles.’

    Brass knuckles are a Class A misdemeanor in New York, and it is also illegal to bring them aboard an airplane. It’s not clear where Adesanya allegedly stored the weapon.

    Spokespeople from the UFC are yet to react to the incident.

    Adesanya’s loss has seen him plummet down the pound-for-pound rankings, dropping from No. 2 to No. 8 on MMAfighting.com.

    A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Adesanya is now a citizen of New Zealand and currently lives in Auckland.

    Longtime rivals Adesanya and Pereira went head-to-head on Saturday in a showdown for the UFC middleweight belt, where the latter emerged victorious after a brutal TKO stoppage late in the bout.

    Despite claims that referee Marc Goddard called an end to the fight prematurely, Canadian fighter and trainer Firas Zahabi insists Adesanya should be ‘grateful’ for the decision.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that as a mixed martial artist, Adesanya competed in the Middleweight division in the UFC, where he is a former UFC Middleweight Champion. In kickboxing, he is a former Glory Middleweight Championship title challenger.

    As of November 14, 2022, he was number one in the UFC middleweight rankings, and number six in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.