Israel Adesanya Planned To Become Triple Champ If He Beat Blachowicz

If things had gone Israel Adesanya’s way at UFC 259, The Last Stylebender would have sought to become the first man to hold a world title in three divisions simultaneously. “Dare to be great” is an expression that Israel Adesanya uttered after coming u…

If things had gone Israel Adesanya’s way at UFC 259, The Last Stylebender would have sought to become the first man to hold a world title in three divisions simultaneously. “Dare to be great” is an expression that Israel Adesanya uttered after coming up short in his bid to unseat light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz […]

UFC 259 Medical Suspensions: Israel Adesanya, Megan Anderson Facing Six-Month Sit

Israel AdesanyaIsrael Adesanya and Megan Anderson are among four fighters facing lengthy medical suspensions. Adesanya suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Jan Blachowicz in their light heavyweight title fight in the UFC 259 headliner this past weekend. Although it appeared Adesanya didn’t suffer major damage during the five-round batte, his left foot and ankle was damaged […]

Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya and Megan Anderson are among four fighters facing lengthy medical suspensions.

Adesanya suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Jan Blachowicz in their light heavyweight title fight in the UFC 259 headliner this past weekend.

Although it appeared Adesanya didn’t suffer major damage during the five-round batte, his left foot and ankle was damaged enough that he now requires an X-ray and medical clearance to compete again.

Otherwise, he is potentially suspended for 180 days while his minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days of no contact. Blachowicz, meanwhile, is suspended for 30 days with 21 days of no contact.

Anderson suffered a first-round submission defeat Amanda Nunes in their women’s featherweight title fight in the co-main event. Like Adesanya, the Aussie is also out for 180 days unless she gets an MRI of her right elbow, an X-ray of her nose and doctor’s clearance.

Other fighters facing six months out are Aleksandar Rakic and Jordan Espinosa.

You can find the full list of UFC 259 medical suspensions below courtesy of MixedMartialArts.com:

  • Jan Blachowicz: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Israel Adesanya: Needs X-ray of left foot and ankle, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Amanda Nunes: No suspension.
  • Megan Anderson: Needs MRI of right elbow and X-ray of nose, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Petr Yan: No suspension.
  • Aljamain Sterling: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
  • Islam Makachev: No suspension.
  • Drew Dober: No Suspension.
  • Thiago Santos: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
  • Aleksandar Rakic: Needs X-ray of right ankle, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Dominick Cruz: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to facial lacerations.
  • Casey Kenney: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to tooth chip.
  • Song Yadong: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
  • Kyler Phillips: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to sutures above left eyebrow and right eyelid.
  • Joseph Benavidez: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to cut under left eye.
  • Askar Askarov: No suspension.
  • Rogerio Bontorin: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Kai Kara-France: No suspension.
  • Tim Elliott: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to cut on top of head.
  • Jordan Espinosa: Needs X-ray of right hand, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to right eye contusion.
  • Carlos Ulberg: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to sutures in right orbital.
  • Sean Brady: No suspension.
  • Jake Matthews: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Livia Renata Souza: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Amanda Lemos: No suspension.
  • Uros Medic: No suspension.
  • Aalon Cruz: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Mario Bautista: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • Trevin Jones: No suspension.

Brendan Schaub Praises ‘Inspirational’ Israel Adesanya For Daring To Be Great

AdesanyaBrendan Schaub believes Israel Adesanya deserves praise for daring to be great. Adesanya failed in his attempt to become a two-weight champion when he was outpointed by Jan Blachowicz in their light heavyweight title fight in the UFC 259 headliner this past weekend. In the process, “The Last Stylebender” also suffered his first professional defeat […]

Adesanya

Brendan Schaub believes Israel Adesanya deserves praise for daring to be great.

Adesanya failed in his attempt to become a two-weight champion when he was outpointed by Jan Blachowicz in their light heavyweight title fight in the UFC 259 headliner this past weekend.

In the process, “The Last Stylebender” also suffered his first professional defeat as some observers in the combat sports world have been mocking him for failing to achieve what he said he would do.

Schaub isn’t one of them. As far as he is concerned, what Adesanya did was inspirational.

“I’m not gonna come on here and sh*t on Izzy, like I’m sure a lot of the world is doing right now,” Schaub said on his podcast (via Middle Easy). “I like guys that dream like Izzy. I like guys that try to do the impossible. And when they don’t achieve that. When they shoot for the moon and land on the stars. I’m all for it man.”

“The narrative of Izzy being the middleweight champion, a light heavyweight champion in pursuit of Jon Jones, is f*****g amazing. And did he achieve that. No, he didn’t. So do we tear the guy down because he lost to a guy who’s arguably 30 pounds heavier. And a world champion at light heavyweight. And he’s never fought at light heavyweight before. You’re not gonna get it out of me. What I think he’s doing is inspirational.

“I think a lot of fighters should look at Izzy’s skillset and realize that when you jump up those weight classes, even though you have more of a skillset, it doesn’t always translate. So you can learn from this.”

As for what’s next for Adesanya, he has already stated he would be returning to the middleweight division.

And despite suffering his first setback in mixed martial arts, Schaub expects Adesanya to remain undefeated at 185 pounds.

“You don’t think he’s the best 185er on the planet? You’re out of your f*****g mind,” Schaub added. “Just to see what he did to Jan early in those rounds until he got taken down is amazing. So if I’m an 85er I’m gonna be a little alarmed. He’s gonna knock you guys out.”

Do you agree with Schaub?

Sterling Hits Back At Fighters Who Claim He ‘Milked it” At UFC 259

High drama engulfed the UFC Apex last Saturday as Aljamain Sterling won the bantamweight title by disqualification against Petr Yan, and he had a lot to say about the nay-sayers implying the win was illegitimate. The controversy consumed the night afte…

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UFC 259 Medical Suspensions: Israel Adesanya Faces Lengthy Layoff

Following last weekend’s UFC 259 event, the medical suspensions have now been released. The most notable suspension on the list is that of reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who will be sidelined for six months unless his left foot and ank…

Following last weekend’s UFC 259 event, the medical suspensions have now been released. The most notable suspension on the list is that of reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who will be sidelined for six months unless his left foot and ankle are cleared by a doctor. Megan Anderson is also facing a six-month suspension pending […]

Askar Askarov Talks Benavidez Win and Calls For Title Shot After UFC 259

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