Tag: Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya ‘Rooting’ for arch rival Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294: ‘I like new blood’

Israel Adesanya backs Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294 I like new bloodAhead of his undisputed middleweight title defense at UFC 293 this weekend, Israel Adesanya has already announced plans for a third Octagon walk later this year – weighing up a potential clash with undefeated phenom, Khamzat Chimaev to boot.  Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return on Saturday night in Sydney, Australia […]

Israel Adesanya backs Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294 I like new blood

Ahead of his undisputed middleweight title defense at UFC 293 this weekend, Israel Adesanya has already announced plans for a third Octagon walk later this year – weighing up a potential clash with undefeated phenom, Khamzat Chimaev to boot. 

Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return on Saturday night in Sydney, Australia – taking on surging division contender, Sean Strickland in an attempted title defense.

Reclaiming the divisional crown at UFC 287 back in April, Adesanya managed to secure his first combat sports career win over common-foe, Alex Pereira, defeating the Brazilian with a thunderous one-punch KO victory in the second round in Miami, Florida.

Israel Adesanya flirts with fight against Khamzat Chimaev in the future

Announcing plans for a potential third outing this year ahead of his second walk this weekend at UFC 293, Adesanya has warned Chimaev about the ability of former foe, Paulo Costa ahead of his own respective return in October – however, expects him to eventually prevail with a win.

“I don’t know who’s going to win but I think if I’m favoring, I might be favoring Khamzat (Chimaev) a little bit more,” Israel Adesanya told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “Because I like new blood.”

“I just made Paulo (Costa) look easy but trust me, he’s a hard fight,” Israel Adesanya explained. “He’s a hard fight but I made him look easy. But I think I’m rooting for Khamzat more in that fight.” 

Slated to make his comeback fight at UFC 294 in October, Chimaev has been sidelined since he submitted Kevin Holland with a one-sided first round D’Arce choke submission win over the Californian striker in the co-main event of UFC 279 in September of last year. 

Drawing Costa in his comeback to the Octagon, Chimaev has weighed up the pursuit of a middleweight title fight with Adesanya in the past, and is expected to land in and around championship contention with a successful outing against Brazilian rival, Costa in an October return. 

Would you like to see Israel Adesanya fight Khamzat Chimaev in the future?

Israel Adesanya ‘Rooting’ for arch rival Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294: ‘I like new blood’

Israel Adesanya backs Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294 I like new bloodAhead of his undisputed middleweight title defense at UFC 293 this weekend, Israel Adesanya has already announced plans for a third Octagon walk later this year – weighing up a potential clash with undefeated phenom, Khamzat Chimaev to boot.  Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return on Saturday night in Sydney, Australia […]

Israel Adesanya backs Khamzat Chimaev to win at UFC 294 I like new blood

Ahead of his undisputed middleweight title defense at UFC 293 this weekend, Israel Adesanya has already announced plans for a third Octagon walk later this year – weighing up a potential clash with undefeated phenom, Khamzat Chimaev to boot. 

Adesanya, the current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to return on Saturday night in Sydney, Australia – taking on surging division contender, Sean Strickland in an attempted title defense.

Reclaiming the divisional crown at UFC 287 back in April, Adesanya managed to secure his first combat sports career win over common-foe, Alex Pereira, defeating the Brazilian with a thunderous one-punch KO victory in the second round in Miami, Florida.

Israel Adesanya flirts with fight against Khamzat Chimaev in the future

Announcing plans for a potential third outing this year ahead of his second walk this weekend at UFC 293, Adesanya has warned Chimaev about the ability of former foe, Paulo Costa ahead of his own respective return in October – however, expects him to eventually prevail with a win.

“I don’t know who’s going to win but I think if I’m favoring, I might be favoring Khamzat (Chimaev) a little bit more,” Israel Adesanya told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “Because I like new blood.”

“I just made Paulo (Costa) look easy but trust me, he’s a hard fight,” Israel Adesanya explained. “He’s a hard fight but I made him look easy. But I think I’m rooting for Khamzat more in that fight.” 

Slated to make his comeback fight at UFC 294 in October, Chimaev has been sidelined since he submitted Kevin Holland with a one-sided first round D’Arce choke submission win over the Californian striker in the co-main event of UFC 279 in September of last year. 

Drawing Costa in his comeback to the Octagon, Chimaev has weighed up the pursuit of a middleweight title fight with Adesanya in the past, and is expected to land in and around championship contention with a successful outing against Brazilian rival, Costa in an October return. 

Would you like to see Israel Adesanya fight Khamzat Chimaev in the future?

Israel Adesanya teases submission win against Sean Strickland at UFC 293: ‘He’s gonna crotch sniff’

Israel Adesanya plans submission win Sean Strickland he's gonna crotch sniff at UFC 293Yet to ever rack up a professional submission victory over the course of his career, undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has laid out plans to potentially pursue a stoppage via that method in this weekend’s championship defense opposite Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, […]

Israel Adesanya plans submission win Sean Strickland he's gonna crotch sniff at UFC 293

Yet to ever rack up a professional submission victory over the course of his career, undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has laid out plans to potentially pursue a stoppage via that method in this weekend’s championship defense opposite Sean Strickland at UFC 293.

Adesanya, the current and two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, is slated to make his return to the Octagon for the second time this year this weekend in a comeback to Sydney, Australia for the promotion.

Standing opposite the City Kickboxing striker is surging middleweight contender, Strickland – who rides a two-fight winning run over both Nassourdine Imavov, and Abusupiyan Magomedov into his first championship foray inside the Octagon.

Israel Adesanya plans submission win over Sean Strickland at UFC 293

Predicting an easy victory against the outspoken Covina native ‘Down Under’ this weekend, Adesnaya has teased his desire to land a submission win before calling time on his illustrious mixed martial arts career. And claims the opportunity to pursue such a stoppage may be presented as soon as Saturday night. 

“What do I want in my career? Submission – I definitely want a submission,” Israel Adesanya told TSN reporter, Aaron Bronsteter. “It might be [in] this fight [against Sean Strickland]. “I know he’s going to wrestle. He’d be dumb not to, so I know he’s going to mix it up.”

“He’s doing this whole thing, ‘Oh, man dance, man dance’ – he’s going to crotch sniff, that’s what he’s going to do,” Israel Adesanya explained. “I mean, he’s got smart coaches and they’ll definitely beat it [a wrestling approach] into him. I know they’ve been talking about it, and he’s like, ‘What, crotch sniff? I’m gonna box.’ He’s gonna box with me. The (Alex) Pereira fight I told him, ‘Focus on your job ‘cause he’s gonna knock you out.’ What did he do? He knocked him out, because he wasn’t focused on his job, he was focused on me. But, yeah, he’s gonna crotch sniff, but I get down too. So it’s whatever.” 

Can Israel Adesanya land his first submission victory this weekend in Australia?

Israel Adesanya downplays Sean Strickland’s ability ahead of UFC 293: ‘Threat meter: I’ll give him a 3’

Israel Adesanya plays down Sean Strickland threat he's about a 3 ahead of UFC 293Predicting a hugely one-sided victory over incoming middleweight championship challenger, Sean Strickland later this month at UFC 293, incumbent division kingpin, Israel Adesanya has downplayed the ability and threat on show from the Californian, quite significantly.  Adesanya, a two-time and current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 293 next weekend in Sydney, Australia […]

Israel Adesanya plays down Sean Strickland threat he's about a 3 ahead of UFC 293

Predicting a hugely one-sided victory over incoming middleweight championship challenger, Sean Strickland later this month at UFC 293, incumbent division kingpin, Israel Adesanya has downplayed the ability and threat on show from the Californian, quite significantly. 

Adesanya, a two-time and current undisputed middleweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 293 next weekend in Sydney, Australia – taking on Strickland in his first attempted title defense since capturing the throne once more.

Last time out, the Nigerian-Kiwi headlined an April pay-per-view event against former champion and common-foe, Alex Pereira – avenging an Octagon loss to the Brazilian with a spectacular second round one-punch KO victory in Miami, Florida.

Israel Adesanya downplays Sean Strickland threat ahead of UFC 293

Seeing a planned title affair with the number one contender, Dricus du Plessis fall to the wayside, Adesanya has instead drawn Strickland for UFC 293, and expects less than a threatening challenge to his reign this month to boot.

“Threat meter, (Sean) Strickland?” Israel Adesanya told CombatTV during a recent interview. “To be honest, skills wise, I’ll give him a three. But a man with nothing to lose and everything to gain is a dangerous man. So that’s why I take him seriously and that’s why I’ve put the work in this camp. I’ve been grinding. Even right now, I’m a little bit tired. But I say skills-wise, [we’re] not even close… I’m going to show him that I’m the dangerous man.” 

And earlier this month to boot, Strickland claimed that he would bring the undisputed middleweight crown back in the United States of America, once more poking Adesanya’s prior allegiance to China whilst the City Kickboxing staple fought in Asia.

“I’m fighting Izzy (Israel Adesanya) the Chinese man, you guys,” Sean Strickland said. “And here’s the thing, I’ve always called Izzy the Chinese champion, but Izzy’s not the Chinese champion, Izzy is the modern-day man. Izzy is the Chinese sl*t.”

“He sold himself for a dollar,” Sean Strickland explained. “And you guys, we’re gonna bring that belt back to America. Let’s f*cking go.”

Can Israel Adesanya remain champion post-UFC 293 this month?

Jon Jones was uncomfortable with Israel Adesanya’s racially charged attack on Du Plessis at UFC 290

AdesanyaEven UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones believes Israel Adesanya may have taken things a little too far in his confrontation with top-ranked middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has been at odds with Du Plessis ever since the South African suggested that he would be the promotion’ first true African world champion. Obviously, […]

Adesanya

Even UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones believes Israel Adesanya may have taken things a little too far in his confrontation with top-ranked middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis.

‘The Last Stylebender’ has been at odds with Du Plessis ever since the South African suggested that he would be the promotion’ first true African world champion. Obviously, those comments struck a chord with former titleholder Kamaru Usman and reigning champion Israel Adesanya. The pair have shared some back-and-forth comments in the media, but it all came to a head at UFC 290 after Du Plessis scored a shocking second-round knockout against perennial contender Robert Whittaker.

Immediately following the win, Adesanya hopped in the cage and engaged in a racially charged confrontation that saw ‘Stylebender’ repeatedly use the N-word while referring to Du Plessis.

Asked his thoughts on the intense face-off between Adesanya and Du Plessis, Jon Jones admitted to finding the whole thing fairly uncomfortable.

“I don’t want to talk sh*t, because Izzy and I have become friends and whatever,” Jones said during a recent appearance on the Kanpai Pandas podcast. “But I was uncomfortable. As a black man, I was uncomfortable my damn self. That was just weird.”

Israel Adesanya Plans on Fighting Dricus Du Plessis Following His UFC 293 Headliner with Sean Strickland

With Du Plessis establishing himself as the No. 1 contender to the middleweight title, fans were hoping to see him square off with ‘Stylebender’ in the UFC 293 main event this month, but the turnaround was simply too short for ‘Stillknocks’ to accept. Instead, Israel Adesanya will step inside the Octagon with the always outspoken and ever-controversial Sean Strickland.

Win or lose, Adesanya still has every intention of settling some business with Dricus Du Plessis, suggesting that it would be the “biggest fight in sporting history.” We’re guessing he’s never heard of the Thrilla in Manilla or Mayweather vs. Pacquiao for more modern fans. But considering Du Plessis’ meteoric, and honestly shocking rise as a legitimate contender, and the tension already boiling over between these two, fight fans are undoubtedly chomping at the bit to see them share the Octagon sooner rather than later.

Report – Alexander Volkanovski, Valentina Shevchenko slated as cover stars for EA Sports UFC 5 video game

Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko wil serve as the cover athletes for EA Sports UFC 5.According to reports this Tuesday evening, undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and former undisptued flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko are set to feature as cover athletes of the new EA Sports UFC 5 video game, with undisputed middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya set to feature as a cover athlete on the deluxe version of the game. As […]

Alexander Volkanovski and Valentina Shevchenko wil serve as the cover athletes for EA Sports UFC 5.

According to reports this Tuesday evening, undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and former undisptued flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko are set to feature as cover athletes of the new EA Sports UFC 5 video game, with undisputed middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya set to feature as a cover athlete on the deluxe version of the game.

As per an initial report from Insider Gaming, EA Sports UFC 5 – which is now scheduled to be released officially on October 27. on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles later this year, will feature Australian favorite, Volkanovski and former flyweight queen, Shevchenko as cover athletes. 

Furthermore, per the initial report, gamers who elect to pre-order the video game released by the Canadian-based publisher and developer, will receive bonuses in the form of playable characters in the game, including former boxing world champion, Mike Tyson, as well as the late, Muhammad Ali, and for the first time in a UFC licensed game, former Pride FC champion, Fedor Emelianenko. 

Israel Adesanya features as EA Sports UFC 5 cover star on deluxe edition

Speculation rose last week when an official, albeit brief trailer for the release of EA Sports UFC 5 was released, that Joe Lopez trainee, Volkanovski would be featuring as a cover athlete – with the Australian appearing to feature in the aforenoted trailer. 

As noted, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya, who featured as a cover athlete on EA Sports UFC 4 alongside former undisputed welterweight title challenger, Jorge Masvidal, will make his return in this instalment, as part of a deluxe option to purchase the EA Sports UFC 5 video game. 

Yet to be booked since he successfully unified the featherweight titles back in July at UFC 290, Volkanovski most recently landed a TKO win over then-interim gold holder, Yair Rodríguez.

As for Shevchenko, the Krgysztan striker is set to headline a Noche UFC event in September, taking on Mexican champion, Alexa Grasso in the pair’s championship rematch. 

Are you excited to play the EA Sports UFC 5 video game?