Israel Adesanya’s Coach Says Du Plessis Defeat Better Than ‘Unexplainable’ Strickland Upset: ‘It Was A Good Loss…’

For the first time in his MMA career, Israel Adesanya finds himself coming off the back of consecutive defeats inside the Octagon. This doesn’t tell the story of both the fights that took place a year apart, because though he didn’t get his hand raised on either occasion, the story of the fights were completely […]

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For the first time in his MMA career, Israel Adesanya finds himself coming off the back of consecutive defeats inside the Octagon.

This doesn’t tell the story of both the fights that took place a year apart, because though he didn’t get his hand raised on either occasion, the story of the fights were completely different.

“The Last Stylebender” didn’t look himself at UFC 293 where he was shockingly upset by Sean Strickland before taking a year off to return at UFC 305.

Despite not reclaiming the title against Dricus Du Plessis, Adesanya appeared somewhat back to where he was before and looked to be gaining momentum in the fight until Du Plessis was able to capitalize on a few mistakes to earn a submission win in the fourth round.

Adesanya’s head coach at City Kickboxing, Eugene Bareman, gave his thoughts on the fight during a recent interview with Combat TV.

He came away feeling a lot more positive after this loss compared to the one from last year because they were able to learn from clear and obvious mistakes that will only lead to improvements, unlike UFC 293 which left the team scratching their heads.

“He made some mistakes which you can only, in my opinion, put down to fatigue and the fatigue, you can put down to the work that Dricus was able to do so you can’t do nothing but applaud that. It was a loss but you know, it was a good loss. Me and Israel can walk away from that loss and it’s measurable, it’s tangible. You can put that down, this is why this happened, this is why that happened. The Strickland fight is just a bit unexplainable to us. That’s much harder to get over cuz it’s like well what happened there.”

Eugene Bareman Gives Credit To Dricus Du Plessis For An Aspect Of His Game That They ‘Didn’t Anticipate’

Bareman agrees with the common consensus that heading into the fourth round, it looked like the momentum was swinging towards Adesanya in the later rounds.

However, it was Du Plessis’ finishing ability that ended up deciding the fight after he was able to wobble the former champion on the feet and take his back for the rear-naked choke win.

As he previously stated above, Bareman puts these crucial mistakes down to Adesanya being fatigued and while this is something they worked on during his training camp, the City Kickboxing boss revealed that he was surprised by how effectively the champion is able to weaponize his conditioning.

He said that Du Plessis may not be a perfect fighter but he’s always making his opponents work hard to try and capitalize on his weaknesses.

“It looks like he has some holes in his defense, he also makes you work to take advantage of those holes, you know what I mean. It’s tough work out there. Yeah, the holes are there but it’s tough work to find them and it just fatigued Israel and fatigued Israel and fatigued Israel and it slowly, slowly got to Israel to the point where he was so fatigued, Dricus was able to take advantage of it. That was probably something I didn’t anticipate happening as much as it did and I just had an expectation that Israel would be able to push through that.”

Read also: Sean Strickland Responds To Machine Gun Kelly’s ‘Big Bro Advice’ As Rapper Wanted UFC Star To Not Talk About Him Anymore

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya’s Coach Says Du Plessis Defeat Better Than ‘Unexplainable’ Strickland Upset: ‘It Was A Good Loss…’ at MMA News.

Ji?í Procházka Reiterates Plan To Move Down To Middleweight Following Dricus Du Plessis’ Title Defense

There is a realistic possibility that we could be seeing Ji?í Procházka competing in a new weight class next time out. Just as he did some time after UFC 303, Procházka continued to tease a drop down in weight in a new video on his YouTube channel. In the video, the Czech star mentions feeling […]

Continue Reading Ji?í Procházka Reiterates Plan To Move Down To Middleweight Following Dricus Du Plessis’ Title Defense at MMA News.

There is a realistic possibility that we could be seeing Ji?í Procházka competing in a new weight class next time out.

Just as he did some time after UFC 303, Procházka continued to tease a drop down in weight in a new video on his YouTube channel.

In the video, the Czech star mentions feeling ready to fight again now, but he is currently waiting for the right conditions to go into a matchup sharp in mind, body, and spirit.

The interviewer then asks Procházka about the weight he plans to return at. The former light heavyweight champion states that if Dricus Du Plessis were to win at UFC 305, he would look at the possibility of moving down to middleweight. The South African retained the middleweight championship earlier this month at UFC 305, submitting Israel Adesanya.

“I’ll clear things up a bit there and take the belt,” Procházka said. “But I feel good and strong in the light heavyweight division, even though the guys there are a bit heavier, almost all of them. So I have to say that I have no problem physically and strength-wise, or in any way, with clearing them out.

“But it would certainly be a challenge for me to go for the belt in the (middleweight) division and then move (back) up. But I’ll really let it flow and see how it unfolds.”

Ji?í Procházka Eyeing Move Down To Middleweight To Challenge Dricus Du Plessis

Procházka is coming off an unsuccessful challenge of Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 303 in June. The result marked the second time in about seven months that the two clashed over the championship.

Pereira recently teased his own move down to middleweight to challenge Du Plessis and try to become a simultaneous two-division champion, having already held the 185-pound gold before his move up to 205 pounds.

Procházka was also asked about rumors of a potential fight with another former light heavyweight champion in Jamahal Hill. “Sweet Dreams” fell in his own challenge of “Poatan” at UFC 300 — the same card that saw Procházka finish Aleksandar Raki?.

The Czechia native poured cold water on such rumors during this interview.

“There hasn’t been any negotiation or discussion with the manager, or anyone else yet,” Procházka said. “I just sent one message regarding Hill, just as an informational note, and I’m not sure if anything has progressed or if someone let something slip. But for now, it’s all just speculation.”

Continue Reading Ji?í Procházka Reiterates Plan To Move Down To Middleweight Following Dricus Du Plessis’ Title Defense at MMA News.

Caio Borralho picks Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis: ‘Let them kill themselves and I’m next’

Caio Borralho picks Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis: 'Let them kill themselves and I'm next'Off the back of his impressive unanimous decision win over the returning former middleweight title challenger, Jared Cannonier overnight…

Caio Borralho picks Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis: 'Let them kill themselves and I'm next'

Off the back of his impressive unanimous decision win over the returning former middleweight title challenger, Jared Cannonier overnight in the main event of UFC Vegas 96, surging Brazilian contender, Caio Borralho is confident he is next in line to challenge for gold against Sean Strickland, however, is not picking against current champion, Dricus du Plessis anymore.

Borralho, who entered his first headliner under the banner of the promotion overnight as the number twelve ranked middleweight contender, managed to turn in a Fight of the Night display with perennial contender, Cannonier — en route to an impressive unanimous judging win over the course of five rounds.

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And extending his winning spree to an impressive seven straight fights since his landing in the UFC from Dana White’s Contender Series, Borralho has staked his claim for a shot at the middleweight crown next, with former champion, Strickland expected to take on South African star, du Plessis first and foremost.

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Caio Borralho calls for title fight after UFC Vegas 96 win

Following his win over Cannonier, Maranhao native, Borralho suggested he fight for the title in his next outing — but was unsure if he would be fighting du Plessis or challenger, Strickland.

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“I got (Sean Strickland) winning this fight [with Dricus du Plessis], because I think Strickland won the last one, but maybe he left a little bit inside the Octagon that he could do a little bit more,” Caio Borralho told assembled media after UFC Vegas 96. “But MMA is crazy. I always bet against Dricus and he always wins, so I’m not betting on the next one.”

Let those guys (Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland) kill themselves and I’m the next one [title challenger at middleweight],” Caio Borralho explained.]

Adding Cannonier to an impressive run of victories, Borralho had previously knocked out Paul Craig and submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk, to go with other impressive decisions over Armen Petrosyan, Abus Magomedov, and Makhmud Muradov to name a few.

Caio Borralho picks Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis: ‘Let them kill themselves and I’m next’

Caio Borralho picks Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis: 'Let them kill themselves and I'm next'Off the back of his impressive unanimous decision win over the returning former middleweight title challenger, Jared Cannonier overnight…

Caio Borralho picks Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis: 'Let them kill themselves and I'm next'

Off the back of his impressive unanimous decision win over the returning former middleweight title challenger, Jared Cannonier overnight in the main event of UFC Vegas 96, surging Brazilian contender, Caio Borralho is confident he is next in line to challenge for gold against Sean Strickland, however, is not picking against current champion, Dricus du Plessis anymore.

Borralho, who entered his first headliner under the banner of the promotion overnight as the number twelve ranked middleweight contender, managed to turn in a Fight of the Night display with perennial contender, Cannonier — en route to an impressive unanimous judging win over the course of five rounds.

caio

And extending his winning spree to an impressive seven straight fights since his landing in the UFC from Dana White’s Contender Series, Borralho has staked his claim for a shot at the middleweight crown next, with former champion, Strickland expected to take on South African star, du Plessis first and foremost.

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Caio Borralho calls for title fight after UFC Vegas 96 win

Following his win over Cannonier, Maranhao native, Borralho suggested he fight for the title in his next outing — but was unsure if he would be fighting du Plessis or challenger, Strickland.

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“I got (Sean Strickland) winning this fight [with Dricus du Plessis], because I think Strickland won the last one, but maybe he left a little bit inside the Octagon that he could do a little bit more,” Caio Borralho told assembled media after UFC Vegas 96. “But MMA is crazy. I always bet against Dricus and he always wins, so I’m not betting on the next one.”

Let those guys (Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland) kill themselves and I’m the next one [title challenger at middleweight],” Caio Borralho explained.]

Adding Cannonier to an impressive run of victories, Borralho had previously knocked out Paul Craig and submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk, to go with other impressive decisions over Armen Petrosyan, Abus Magomedov, and Makhmud Muradov to name a few.

Jiri Prochazka weighs up title fight with Dricus du Plessis next: ‘It would be a challenge’

Jiri Prochazka weighs up title fight with Dricus du Plessis next: 'It would be a challenge'Amid his sidelining from action, former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has claimed a potential middleweight title run…

Jiri Prochazka weighs up title fight with Dricus du Plessis next: 'It would be a challenge'

Amid his sidelining from action, former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has claimed a potential middleweight title run may be on the cards next — particularly after Dricus du Plessis retained his title at UFC 305 against former champion, Israel Adesanya.

Prochazka, who still retains the number one rank in the light heavyweight pile, most recently headlined UFC 303 at the end of June during International Fight Week.

Suffering his second defeat to champion, Alex Pereira in their heated title rematch, Czech Republic striker, Prochazka was stopped with a brutal high-kick knockout.

Jiri Prochazka eyes third fight with Alex Pereira despite UFC 303 loss I know I can beat him

And in the immediate aftermath of his loss, the former Rizin FF star weighed up both a middleweight drop in chase of a second Octagon crown — or a title-eliminator against fellow former champion, Jamahal Hill.

In his most recent victory, devastating knockout ace, Prochazka rallied to best Aleksandar Rakic with a stunning second round stoppage at UFC 300 earlier this year to boot.

Jiri Prochazka plans middleweight drop after UFC 303 title fighjt loss it would be a new start

Jiri Prochazka weighs up Dricus du Plessis title charge

And still undecided on his future amid links to an impending return to action later this year, Prochazka has welcomed the chance to take on Pretoria favorite, du Plessis for the middleweight championship.

“I’ve been considering that if (Israel Adesanya) wins, I’ll stay in the light heavyweight division, but if (Dricus) du Plessis wins, I’ll follow him,” Jiri Prochazka said on his official YouTube channel.

“I’ll clear things up in a bit there and take the belt,” Jiri Prochazka explained. “It would certainly be a challenge for me to go for the belt in the [middleweight] division. And then move up [back to light heavyweight].”

Jiri Prochazka spent 3 days with no food or water after booking UFC 303 fight he is that dude
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Winning 205lbs gold back in the summer of 2022, Prochazka travelled to Singapore where he toppled then-champion, Glover Teixeira with a stunning fifth round finish — defeating the Brazilian with a rear-naked choke stoppage — sans hooks, with the challenger down on the scorecards heading into the final round.

St-Pierre’s Coach Feels Du Plessis Breaking ‘Old School’ BJJ Principles Led To UFC 305 Win

Dricus Du Plessis retained the middleweight title at UFC 305 by submitting Israel Adesanya in the fourth round. Considering the styles of both fighters, it’s not necessarily surprising to see the champion get the victory in this fashion but the result doesn’t tell the full story. “Stillknocks” was able to get the tap by hurting […]

Continue Reading St-Pierre’s Coach Feels Du Plessis Breaking ‘Old School’ BJJ Principles Led To UFC 305 Win at MMA News.

Dricus Du Plessis retained the middleweight title at UFC 305 by submitting Israel Adesanya in the fourth round.

Considering the styles of both fighters, it’s not necessarily surprising to see the champion get the victory in this fashion but the result doesn’t tell the full story.

“Stillknocks” was able to get the tap by hurting Adesanya on the feet, jumping on his back and quickly locking in the choke which his opponent admitted was caused by a simple mistake that he made in defending it.

Du Plessis has always been a very effective finisher with 20 of his 22 pro wins ending inside the distance but what impressed one of the top minds in the sport was how he circumnavigates a basic rule of Jiu-Jitsu to threaten with submissions.

Firas Zahabi Breaks Down How Dricus Du Plessis Ignores Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals When Finishing Fights

Firas Zahabi gave his thoughts on the main event during a recent YouTube video on the Tristar Gym channel where he pointed out an interesting element of Du Plessis’ game which may have been overlooked.

The head coach of Georges St-Pierre referenced how one of the first things you’re taught in Jiu-Jitsu is that you go position over submission.

Especially in MMA where strikes are involved, going for an attack and losing your position as a result can be incredibly costly, but the middleweight champion ignores this altogether.

Rather than looking to control Adesanya first, he went right for the choke which caught his opponent off guard and gave him insufficient time to regain his bearings.

Zahabi highlighted this after seeing the South African champ pull off his first title defense.

“He choked him and I realized something about Du Plessis. When Du Plessis gets somebody down, he jumps immediately on the choke, he doesn’t solidify position you know and in Jiu-Jitsu, we’re always taught, the old school mentality was like position, position, position, and then submission. It was like always burnt into our minds. You take the guy down, you stabilize him, you stabilize him, you stabilize him and then you submit him. Well Du Plessis doesn’t do that, he flies in the face of everything everybody ever told us.”

Read also: Jared Cannonier Dismisses Caio Borralho’s Grappling Superiority Ahead Of UFC Fight Night Main Event: ‘I Fought Glover Teixeira!’

Continue Reading St-Pierre’s Coach Feels Du Plessis Breaking ‘Old School’ BJJ Principles Led To UFC 305 Win at MMA News.