Tag: Israel Adesanya

Report – Israel Adesanya targeted to headline UFC 305 in Perth in title grudge fight with Dricus du Plessis

Israel Adesanya targeted to headline UFC 305 in Perth title fight with Dricus du PlessisWith the Octagon officially set to return to Perth, Australia on August 18. for a flagship UFC 305 event,…

Israel Adesanya targeted to headline UFC 305 in Perth title fight with Dricus du Plessis

With the Octagon officially set to return to Perth, Australia on August 18. for a flagship UFC 305 event, former undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is reportedly targeted to headline the card in a long-anticipated title grudge fight against current gold holder, Dricus du Plessis. 

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined since he dropped his crown to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 back in September of last year in a return to Sydney.

Israel Adesanya vows to bring back vicious technique in UFC return I'm tuning it up
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And as for du Plessis, the South African gold holder maintained his unbeaten record in the UFC back in January in a trip to Canada, dethroning the above-mentioned, Strickland in a close, split decision win over the North American.

Dricus Du Plessis

Israel Adesanya expected to feature at UFC 305 in August

According to a report from the New Zealand Herald this morning, UFC 305 is officially set for August 18. in Perth, Australia – with the organization expected to explore the possibility of hosting a championship fight between du Plessis and Adesanya in a main event matchup.

Furthermore, Israel Adesanya’s head coach, Eugene Bareman confirmed to the outlet that his product expects to compete for gold in his next fight, having seen a targeted clash with du Plessis failed to materialize for UFC 300 in April.

“Israel will be fighting for the title next,” Bareman said. “The date, I’m not sure. Give us a date and we’ll take it. We’re sitting ready to go.”

“Israel’s pretty adamant that he has to fight for the title,” Bareman explained. “It’s not up to du Plessis. If that was the case, I wish Israel as a champion had those sorts of choices. The truth is, he probably doesn’t.”

Israel Adesanya claims coach prevented him from going out on his shield against Sean Strickland

A return at UFC 305 in Perth for Adesanya would see the Nigerian-Kiwi make a return to the region to compete for the first time since he made his Octagon debut back in 2018, earning a Performance of the Night bonus in a second round TKO win against Rob Wilkinson.

Who wins in a title fight at UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

Dricus du Plessis urges Israel Adesanya to fight him in UFC title grudge match next: ‘Be a man of your word, and let’s do it’

Dricus du Plessis taunts Israel Adesanya into UFC title fight be a man of your word and let's do thisDricus du Plessis wants only one name in his return to the Octagon later this year, urging Israel Adesanya…

Dricus du Plessis taunts Israel Adesanya into UFC title fight be a man of your word and let's do this

Dricus du Plessis wants only one name in his return to the Octagon later this year, urging Israel Adesanya to stand opposite him in a championship grudge match – claiming the City Kickboxing staple must be a man of his word and clash with him.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight titleholder, has been sidelined since January, striking Octagon gold with a close, contentious split decision win over common-opponent, Sean Strickland in the pair’s main event fight at UFC 297 in Canada.

As for Adesanya, the Nigerian-Kiwi has been sidelined since he suffered a one-sided decision defeat of his own against massive betting underdog, Strickland back in September of last year at UFC 293 – in one of the biggest upset losses in the promotion’s antiquity. 

Dricus Du Plessis

Rejecting the opportunity to headline UFC 300 next month as part of a monumental card in Las Vegas, du Plessis revealed a string of lingering injuries forced his decision to reject a bout agreement, questioning why he would enter training camp compromised. 

Dricus du Plessis calls for Israel Adesanya to meet him next

And furthermore, du Plessis reminded Adesanya that he now owns the middleweight crown – and any potential pairing must come on his terms, not the City Kickboxing staples.

Israel Adesanya claims he won't fight Dricus du Plessis at UFC 293 his foot is sore
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“So, you claim you want to drag my carcass around in South Africa, as you said,” Dricus du Plessis said during an appearance on Hustlers Corner. “So, be a man of your word, and let’s do it.” 

“We are trying,” Dricus du Plessis explained. “We are talking, definitely. That’s what the people want to see, and that’s what I want to do. I want to fight the best guys. This is an entertaining sport.” 

Israel Adesanya claims Dricus du Plessis turned down UFC 300 title fight they didn't want it

Seeing a September title fight with Adesanya scuppered through more lingering injuries, Pretoria native, du Plessis earner his championship clash against Strickland with a blistering second round TKO win over former undisputed divisional champion, Robert Whittaker.

Who wins in a title fight later this year: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

UFC ace Israel Adesanya backed to struggle with Khamzat Chimaev in future fight: ‘He’s not gonna win’

Israel Adesanya backed to struggle in Khamzat Chimaev fight in future he's not gonna win UFCFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been backed to struggle significantly with undefeated talent, Khamzat Chimaev in…

Israel Adesanya backed to struggle in Khamzat Chimaev fight in future he's not gonna win UFC

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been backed to struggle significantly with undefeated talent, Khamzat Chimaev in a future showdown – according to prior foe, Marvin Vettori, who claims the UFC star will likely lose to any top five contender in his Octagon return.

Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, has yet to return to competition since he headlined UFC 293 last September, setting an unwanted record in a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland, subsequently becoming the first fighter in promotional history to lose their championship belt twice in a calendar year.

Israel Adesanya eyes title rematch with Sean Strickland mocks title loss again what a reign

However, linked with another immediate charge at gold despite his loss to now-former titleholder, Strickland, City Kickboxing striker, Adesanya was offered a headliner at UFC 300 next month against new champion, Dricus du Plessis – a bout the South African ultimately admitted he turned down due to lingering injuries. 

Israel Adesanya’s ability called into question amid layoff

Sharing his thoughts on Adesanya’s expected comeback later this year, Vettori, a two-time foe of the former – who himself headlines UFC Vegas 90 against Brendan Allen, claimed the ex-champion would be beaten by Chimaev – as well as any other contender at 185 pounds worth their salt.

“Izzy (Israel Adesanya) will lose any fight,” Marvin Vettori told The Schmo during a recent interview. “If he comes back, he’s not going to win any fight, I will tell you this. In the top three or four, he’s not gonna win any fights. I don’t think he’s going to beat Khamzat (Chimaev), either. I don’t think so. He’s gonna get taken down, I think.”

“He comes back, he’s gonna lose, I think,” Vettori explained. “They’re gonna tell me I’m a hater and sh*t, but it’s true – the game is evolving so fast. The grappling level is just evolving, getting higher and higher and I think he can’t hang. Taking a year off now, it’s a lot.” 

Khamzat Chimaev labelled a crybaby after attacking UFC boss Dana White over title fight
Manadatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Himself sidelined since last October, unbeaten challenger, Chimaev has been out of action since he landed a close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight kingpin, Kamaru Usman at UFC 294 in a short-notice clash.

Who wins in a future clash: Israel Adesanya or Khamzat Chimaev?

Video – Israel Adesanya distraught after Francis Ngannou KO’ed by Anthony Joshua: ‘That was vicious’

Israel Adesanya left distraught after Francis Ngannou KO'ed by Anthony Joshua that was viciousFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya was left distraught and scatching his head following last night’s shocking knockout loss…

Israel Adesanya left distraught after Francis Ngannou KO'ed by Anthony Joshua that was vicious

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya was left distraught and scatching his head following last night’s shocking knockout loss for close-friend and fellow former UFC heavyweight titleholder, Francis Ngannou – at the vicious hands of boxing supremo, Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the Dana White-led UFC, made his sophomore outing in the boxing ring overnight in the Middle East – following a tremendous performance en route to defeat against WBC best, Tyson Fury last August at the same venue.

Francis Ngannou flattened in shuddering loss

However, seeing the curtain draw – potentially definitely on his naive boxing career last night, Cameroonian berserker, Ngannou was both dropped and stopped for the first time in his professional combat sports tenure overnight, with Joshua flattening the former UFC kingpin with an hellacious finish in the second round.

Felled in the first with a piston-like right hand straight from Watford native, Joshua, Ngannou was then caught with a check left hook in the second, sending him briefly to the canvas once more.

Fighters react to Anthony Joshua's KO win over Francis Ngannou stop coming to boxing it will only get worse
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

However, immediately back on his feet, Ngannou was sent stretched to the floor for a third and ultimately final time, completely unconscious in spectacular fashion. 

And claiming he let fans and friends down in his shocking knockout loss, it looks to be back to the drawing board for Ngannou – who is expected to make his PFL (Professional Fighters League) debut later this year in a showcase with recent superfight champion, Renan Ferreira. 

Izzy Reacts

Sharing his thoughts on Ngannou’s staggering knockout loss to Joshua in the Middle East, Adesanya was left awestruck in the immediate aftermath of the bout.

“Ah, man – f*cking cold, ah man, damn,” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “He’s (Francis Ngannou) okay. That second one [knockdown] was bad, but that third one [knockdown]. You could see it in his face – ‘cause the first one he was fine, that was a flash [knockdown]. 

What’s next for Francis Ngannou after his KO loss to Anthony Joshua?

Dricus du Plessis eyes 205 pound move, chases title fight: ‘We’ve seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lot’

Dricus du Plessis eyes light heavyweight move chases title fight We've seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lotDricus du Plessis has admitted plans to make a move to the light heavyweight limit in the not-so-distant future,…

Dricus du Plessis eyes light heavyweight move chases title fight We've seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lot

Dricus du Plessis has admitted plans to make a move to the light heavyweight limit in the not-so-distant future, but first plans to build up a credible winning run at his middleweight stomping grounds.

du Plessis, the current undisputed UFC middleweight champion, most recently headlined back in January of this year in Canada, turning in a close, split decision win over Sean Strickland to snatch the divisional title. 

And linked with a return at UFC 300 in April, South African force, du Plessis admitted that a turnaround so soon to face former two-time champion, Israel Adesanya simply was not feasible for him – given he’s still carrying a string of injuries and bumps suffered in his January main event.

Welcoming the possibility of fighting light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira – who headlines UFC 300, in fact, du Plessis wants to extend his winning run at middleweight first and foremost, particularly since he minted himself as divisional gold holder.

“Everybody wants to be a double champ, I understand that,” Dricus du Plessis said during a sitdown interview with Cameron Saaiman. “But, I am willing to say, ‘Okay, if there’s people left to fight, if [Robert] Whittaker just keeps on beating everybody, who am I going to fight?”

Dricus du Plessis previews Alex Pereira fight at UFC 300

And dissecting potential incoming foe, Pereira’s headlining title affair with former champion, Jamahal Hill next month in Las Vegas, du Plessis urged fans and viewers to prepare themselves for the possibility that the Brazilian is toppled – due to the apparent fact he gets “hurt” more than often.

“That’s an incredible fight,” Dricus du Plessis said of Alex Pereira’s clash with Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. “That’s a good fight. You have this – both strikers – but you have one guy who’s such a clinical striker then you have this guy that he just fires and he throws bombs. Listen, if Jamahal Hill knocks out Alex Pereira, I will not be surprised.”

“We’ve seen Alex Pereira get hurt a lot,” du Plessis explained. “I don’t think Jamahal Hill needs to make it a dog fight. If he’s going to stand in range and get kicked the whole time, Alex Pereira’s just going to lead his legs then it’s over.”

Israel Adesanya claims he won't fight Dricus du Plessis at UFC 293 his foot is sore
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Admitting he’s not necessarily rushing a return to land a grudge fight with City Kickboxing striker ace, Adesanya later this year, du Plessis warned the former two-time champion that a long overdue clash between the two will come definitely on his terms, given the fact he now finds himself strapped with gold.

Would you like to see Dricus du Plessis fight Alex Pereira in the future?