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Luke Rockhold still eyes UFC return, title fight against Israel Adesanya: ‘I present a lot of problems for him’

Just a day before quitting in the second round at BKFC 41, Luke Rockhold was thinking optimistically. His spirits were high the day before the fight, and he appeared on Just Scrap Radio to talk about a potential UFC return against Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title. “I’m not opposed to it, on my terms, […]

Just a day before quitting in the second round at BKFC 41, Luke Rockhold was thinking optimistically. His spirits were high the day before the fight, and he appeared on Just Scrap Radio to talk about a potential UFC return against Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title.

“I’m not opposed to it, on my terms, for sure,” Rockhold began on the radio show. “I’ve always been intrigued by an Israel fight, I think he is awesome and an amazing fighter. I think I’m getting better and I can test him, my striking has gotten so much better over the years, and as long as I’m in shape and I get things, I think I present a lot of problems for Izzy.”

After the BKFC 41 fight against Mike Perry, the chances Rockhold comes back for a title fight against Israel Adesanya are astronomically low. However, at the time of the interview, Luke Rockhold most likely believed he was going to waltz into BKFC 41 and put a beat down on Perry.

The topic turned to Adesanya’s most recent fight against Alex Pereira, and Rockhold had a lot of praise for ‘The Last Stylebender. He was very much impressed with the way Adesanya handled their MMA rematch (the fourth fight overall between the pair) and was even more taken aback by the result.

BKFC 41 recap, and Luke Rockhold continues speaking on the Israel Adesanya fight

“I thought it was insane. The mental ability to go in there after three losses and stay composed and do his thing,” Rockhold continued (H/T BJ Penn.com). “He put everything into it and people say what they say but he took the shots, got compromised, and landed the blows. All the credit to Izzy, I have nothing but respect and I like watching the kid fight. He’s f*****g awesome, a true champion.”

Alas, things really didn’t go Rockhold’s way at BKFC 41. The bare-knuckle brawl was extremely rough on ‘The Samurai’ and he suffered extreme damage to his teeth. In fact, it’s been said Perry was knocking teeth out of his mouth and shattering them.

The pain must have been absolutely unbearable, and Rockhold did the only logical thing: he gave up. If Luke Rockhold continued fighting, Perry could have very well knocked all the teeth out of his mouth and caused other brutal injuries. The fight wasn’t a total one-sided domination, but it was pretty clear most of the time that ‘Platinum’ was in the lead and up on the judges’ scorecards.

The world isn’t sure what Rockhold will do now after that brutal beatdown he suffered, but a return to the UFC would most likely be an extremely fun sight to see for fans across the world.

Would you be interested in seeing a title fight between Israel Adesanya and Luke Rockhold?

Israel Adesanya dubs fellow UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski as the ‘Greatest fighter on the planet’

Israel Adesanya shared a series of pictures of himself alongside his teammate and fellow UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is still riding high following his remarkable second-round knockout of longtime rival Alex Pereira at UFC 287 last month. Becoming just the fourth fighter to reclaim his title in an immediate rematch, Israel Adesanya […]

Israel Adesanya shared a series of pictures of himself alongside his teammate and fellow UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski.

‘The Last Stylebender’ is still riding high following his remarkable second-round knockout of longtime rival Alex Pereira at UFC 287 last month. Becoming just the fourth fighter to reclaim his title in an immediate rematch, Israel Adesanya is already looking to climb back into the Octagon this summer. Before then, the two-time middleweight champion is spending some time with his City Kickboxing brother and reigning 145-pound king, Alexander Volkanovski.

“Being friends with the greatest fighter on the planet has its perks, you learn how to be great yourself,” Adesanya shared on Twitter. “What a time to be alive…you are witnessing two of the best ever! Enjoy the ride while it’s happening”

Fans on social media were appreciative of the inside look with one saying, “Two greats supporting each other behind the scenes & publicly.. love to see it champ.”

What’s Next for Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski?

A few short weeks removed from his history-making win at UFC 287, Israel Adesanya is chomping at the bit to get back inside the Octagon according to UFC President Dana White. While speculation has run rampant as to who the ‘Stylebender’ would face, no official announcement has been made. One popular theory is that the New Zealander could once again move up to light heavyweight for a superfight with the reigning 205-pound champion Jamahal Hill.

‘The Last Stylebender’ has also taken aim at streaking middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis after the South African standout called into question Adesanya’s African heritage. Stillknocks’ is currently scheduled for a middleweight title eliminator opposite former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 on July 8.

As for Alexander Volkanovski, the featherweight titleholder is slated for a unification bout with current interim 145-pound champion Yair Rodriguez. ‘El Pantera’ won the interim crown at UFC 284 in February, the same night Volkanovski challenged Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship in an early Fight of the Year contender.

Israel Adesanya denies landing ‘Hail Mary’ knockout win over Alex Pereira at UFC 287: ‘It’s freestyle’

Two-time UFC middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesanya has denied claims that his knockout blow against arch-rival, Alex Pereira was a “hail mary” strike at UFC 287 last month – admitting he knew he could take some of the Brazilian’s strikes at the Octagon fence. Adesanya, who headlined UFC 287 last month in an undisputed middleweight championship […]

Adesanya, who headlined UFC 287 last month in an undisputed middleweight championship rematch against arch-foe, Pereira, managed to rack up his first victory over the Sao Paulo native in their four-fight series.

Countering after being stunned at the Octagon fence in the second round, Adesanya launched two massive counter right hooks, dropping Pereira to the canvas as he recorded a spectacular KO, reclaiming his middleweight title.

Israel Adesanya denies the need for a hail mary finish of Alex Pereira at UFC 287

However, receiving some flak for his performance with many in the community claiming Adesanya luckily found a “hail mary” strike to finish Pereira, the Nigerian-Kiiw has denied that theory, calling his method to success, “freestyle”.

“He (Alex Pereira) hurt my leg,” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “I’m like, ‘Right, if I go southpaw to hide it…’ He hits me in the body and I’m like, ‘F*ck, okay, you know what? Just give it to him. He’s gonna come close.’ I’m like, ‘You’re right there now,’ so I gave him a few shots, cause I knew I could shell and I could see everything. Right, checkmate, boom. What f*cking hail mary is that? It’s freestyle.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Expected to return before the close of this year in a comeback to Sydney, Australia for the UFC, Adesanya has been earmarked to fight either former foe, Robert Whittaker, or surging contender, Dricus du Plessis next – taking umbrage with comments made from the latter in his pursuit of a title shot against him.

“He’s (Dricus du Plessis) created division,” Israel Adesanya said. “This is not the time for that sh*t. You could have definitely got the fight without talking all that sh*t. Well, be careful what you wish for. You got what you want. He’s next. I’m going to f*cking beat him until he’s black.”

“I’m going to f*cking take him to school, in the Octagon, and on history,” Israel Adesanya explained. “What he’s doing is creating divide. You can’t not know your history – I have never questioned him as an African, because yeah, you were born in Africa. South Africa. Of course, you’re an African. I have never questioned that. But who the f*ck is this cracker to tell me who the f*ck I am? Who the f*ck Kamaru (Usman) is, who the f*ck (Francis) Ngannou is? I’m like, are you dumb? As a product of colonization, you’re trying to tell me who the f*ck I am. You can take the boy out of Africa, but you can never take Africa out of the boy.”

Alex Pereira insists he’s still better than Israel Adesanya despite UFC 287 loss: ‘Numbers don’t lie’

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has insisted that despite suffering a thunderous second round KO loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 earlier this month, he is still better than the two-time division champion – pointing to his three prior successes against the latter. Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, […]

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the promotion’s banner, headlined UFC 287 against Adesanya earlier this month in Miami, Florida – dropping his undisputed title in a stunning, second round knockout loss to the City Kickboxing staple.

The matchup came as the fourth time Pereira and Adesanya traded leather, with the Brazilian landing three shutout consecutive victories before his loss at UFC 287.

Chalking his first triumph as part of their four-fight series with his knockout win, Adesanya balked at an immediate championship trilogy fight with Alex Pereira off the back of UFC 287, with the Sao Paulo native in turn, set to make a light heavyweight division leap.

Alex Pereira reminds Israel Adesanya of the score from their four-fight series

Taking solace in his sole win over Pereira in ‘The Sunshine State’, Adesanya has been told to steady his celebrations by the Brazilian – who reminded him of the 3-1 deficit he still finds himself up against off the back of UFC 287.

“We are the best,” Alex Pereira tweeted, accompanied by footage of his prior fights with Israel Adesanya. “But I’m still better. Numbers don’t lie. 3:1.”

We are the best. But I’m still better. Numbers don’t lie. 3:1. pic.twitter.com/Y8hxlyAwyZ

— Alex "Poatan" Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) April 29, 2023

Yet to book his impending light heavyweight debut, Pereira has been tipped to avoid a potential fight with former vacant title chaser, Magomed Ankalaev in his promotional debut, however, has been backed to improve the division by former champion, Jiri Prochazka to boot.

As for Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya, the two-time middleweight champion is expected to fight the winner of a Robert Whittaker versus Dricus du Plessis title-eliminator later this year, in an earmarked Sydney, Australia outing for the UFC.

Sean O’Malley defends UFC star Israel Adesanya from dispute with ex-Girlfriend: ‘Them b*tches get crazy’

Sean O’Malley weighs in on Israel Adesanya’s ongoing dispute with his former partner. Earlier this month, Israel Adesanya gave a rare insight into his personal life in a social media rant regarding his ex-girlfriend. The 33-year-old would call out the unnamed women, declaring he has ‘time and lawyer money’ via his Instagram. “You don’t care […]

Sean O’Malley weighs in on Israel Adesanya’s ongoing dispute with his former partner.

Earlier this month, Israel Adesanya gave a rare insight into his personal life in a social media rant regarding his ex-girlfriend. The 33-year-old would call out the unnamed women, declaring he has ‘time and lawyer money’ via his Instagram.

“You don’t care about my life cause you’ve sold info about me, so I don’t care about yours. I don’t even hate; I just don’t care about you. I’ve not been in love with you for a while. In summary, I’m glad this happened. I wouldn’t change a f**king thing,” said Adesanya.

“Me loading up receipts…. Y’all shoulda left me the f**k alone! I got time and I got lawyer money”

“Women’s ‘Standards ‘ are merely fairy tales they have after living in a nightmare.” “LOL women…”

Sean O’Malley reacts

Talking on his podcast, O’Malley would come to the defence of the reigning middleweight champion and would state that ‘b**ches’ are crazy.

“I don’t know how their relationship was ever because I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend or anything, but to want half of his sh*t, to want half of what he’s gone out there and done, that’s absolutely ridiculous. Be happy, Izzy, give her a thousand bucks, she’ll be alright.” Said O’Malley.

“Maybe if they were together 15 years, since the beginning, and she didn’t work cause she was constantly making him food, massaging, at the gym doing all this stuff for him, then I say yeah. Definitely not half, no way in hell half, but maybe compensate a little bit. I mean, dude, girls, you could be in love but the second happens, them b**ches get crazy.”(H/T Sportskeeda)

Sean O’Malley discusses Israel Adesanya situation on a recent podcast episode

Do you agree with Sean O’Malley?

Stephen Thompson shuts down dream striking fight with Israel Adesanya, describes matchup as ‘Very difficult’

Former two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has pumped the brakes on any sort of potential fight with two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya under the UFC banner in the future – describing the latter’s style as “very difficult”. Thompson, the current #7 ranked welterweight contender, most recently headlined UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December […]

Thompson, the current #7 ranked welterweight contender, most recently headlined UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December of last year, landing an eventual fourth round corner’s stoppage TKO victory over Kevin Holland. The win snapped Thompson’s two-fight losing skid to both Belal Muhammad, and Gilbert Burns.

Since then, Thompson has been booked to return at UFC 289 in June in Canada, taking on Brazilian striker, Michel Pereira in a pay-per-view main card clash.

Stephen Thompson shuts down potential fight with Israel Adesanya

Attempting to make one final push to the title having suffered a pair of championship fight losses to former gold holder, Tyron Woodley – Thompson dismissed the idea of a future fight with middleweight kingpin, Adesanya, noting his stature in comparison to other middleweights.

“It’s funny, because I’m not a big welterweight,” Stephen Thompson told MiddleEasy during a recent interview. “I probably walk around [at] 195 [pounds] at my heaviest. These guys are walking around like 220 [pounds]. I mean, I train with Chris Weidman; former middleweight champion and that dude is the strongest mama jama I have ever seen in my life.”

“I’ve stood beside ‘Stylebender’ (Israel Adesnya), he’s a good head taller than me,” Stephen Thompson explained. “I think it would be fun to train with him, maybe get a sparring match, but to fight that guy? I don’t know, man. That’s tough. I mean, with a guy that fights with range and he’s so good. But his range is so much father out than mine. He’s got the reach out of not just his legs, but his hands [as well]. And for me to get on the inside of that will be very, very difficult.”

As for Adesanya, the City Kickboxing staple most recently headlined UFC 287 earlier this month, reclaiming his title with a second round knockout win over Alex Pereira, which saw him land the undisputed middleweight for the second time in his Octagon tenure.

Expected to headline a pay-per-view return to Sydney, Australia for the UFC later this year, Adesanya has been lined up to fight either former foe, Robert Whittaker, or arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis next.