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Israel Adesanya misses out on ESPY nomination as Best UFC Fighter despite spectacular championship win in April

Despite making plans to collect an award at next month’s ESPYs, current UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has missed out on the category nomination for ‘Best UFC Fighter’ according to a press release, amid his stunning title victory at UFC 287 in April. Adesanya, the current and a two-time undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 287 […]

Adesanya, the current and a two-time undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 287 earlier this year in Miami, Florida, avening a prior knockout loss to Alex Pereira in November of last year, stopping the Brazilian champion with a stunning second round one-punch KO – striking divisional gold again.

Yet to be booked for his return to the Octagon following his victory in ‘The Sunshine State’, Adesanya has been earmarked to headline an event before the end of this year, taking on the victor of an official title-eliminator between former champion, Robert Whittaker, and rival, Dricus du Plessis next month at UFC 290 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Israel Adesanya misses out on a ‘Best UFC Fighter’ nomination at this year’s ESPYs

And set to be in attendance at the T-Mobile Arena next month, Israel Adesanya has, however, missed out on a nomination for the ‘Best UFC Fighter’ category at the International Fight Week event – with the quartet of Leon Edwards, Jon Jones, Islam Makhachev, and the recently retired, Amanda Nunes all receiving nominations as per ESPN reporter, Marc Raimondi.

The 2023 ESPYS nominees for Best UFC Fighter pic.twitter.com/KL7LSjnncj

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) June 21, 2023

Previously laying out distinct plans to feature in a nominated capacity at the ESPY this summer, Adesanya, had also called for the Comeback of the Year, Knockout of the Year, and ‘Fighter of the Year’ awards in a text message exchange.

ESPY 2023! pic.twitter.com/VADjlo1D3a

— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) April 26, 2023

Boasting a 24-2 professional record, Israel Adesanya’s sole losses in the sport have come in the of his aforenoted standing TKO loss to Pereira back in November of last year, which followed an unsuccessful light heavyweight title siege opposite former champion, Jan Blachowicz back in 2021 at the UFC Apex facility – dropping a unanimous decision loss to the Pole on that occasion.

Israel Adesanya reignites rivalry with Alex Pereira despite friendly run in: ‘FYI: I got the kill shot’

Reigning middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya stokes rivalry with Alex Pereira following what seemed like a friendly run in with Alex Pereira. UFC 287 saw the MMA rematch between Adesanya and Pereira following their fight just five months before where Pereira would stop Adesanya in the fifth round. This time however, it was Adesanya who would […]

Reigning middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya stokes rivalry with Alex Pereira following what seemed like a friendly run in with Alex Pereira.

UFC 287 saw the MMA rematch between Adesanya and Pereira following their fight just five months before where Pereira would stop Adesanya in the fifth round. This time however, it was Adesanya who would have his hand raised, brutally knocking out ‘Poatan’ in the second round of their fight.

It was just another chapter of their long standing rivalry which began in their professional kickboxing days and the pair have now fought four time across the two disciplines, with Pereira being 3-1 overall. It seems that their rivalry is not over and a third MMA fight could always be on the cards, regardless of what the pair do next.

Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira run into each other in Australia

Last week, both men were visiting Australia and hilariously Pereira would be spotted visiting the rivals of Adesanya’s favrioute Rugby league club. While on the way back however, the pair would have a chance meeting in the airport, with Pereira filming the friendly interaction between.

Even with what could easily perceived as distasteful celebrations and comments from Adesanya following his win, there was no animosity between the pair.

However, following their meeting, Adesanya would take a photo of Pereira and would post it to social media with the caption ‘FYI: I got the Kill shot’.

Pereira is set to to take on former light-heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowiicz at the 205lb limit, moving up from middleweight. The bout will take place in the co-main event slot of UFC 291 on July 29.

As For Adesanya, he is set to take on the winner of Robert Whittaker Vs. Dricus Du Plessis which is being targeted for UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia.

What did you think of Israel Adesanya’s comments?

Israel Adesanya labelled ‘Sore winner’ off the back of UFC 287 title knockout win over Alex Pereira

Undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been branded a “sore winner” by former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier, in the wake of the former’s title reclamation at UFC 287 last month in a rematch against Alex Pereira. Adesanya, now a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, headlined UFC 287 last month […]

Adesanya, now a two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, headlined UFC 287 last month in Miami, Florida against Brazilian rival and then-champion, Pereira.

Avenging a prior November knockout loss to Pereira at Madison Square Garden last year, Adesanya managed to land a stunning counter right hand knockout of the Sao Paulo striker at the Octagon fence last month, landing the middleweight title for the second time during his tenure under the banner of the UFC.

Relishing in his victory in the aftermath of UFC 287, Israel Adesanya has been blasted for taking aim at Pereira’s teenage son, Alessandro Pereira following his knockout win in ‘The Sunshine State’ – also calling to receive a Fighter of the Year award this summer at a ceremony during International Fight Week in July.

Israel Adesanya has been branded a “sore winner” following his UFC 287 win

Reflecting on City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya’s title win at UFC 287, former undisputed light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, Cormier described the Nigerian-Kiwi as a “sore winner” following the pay-per-view event.

“It’s (Israel) Adesanya knocking out (Alex) Pereira in Miami, Florida,” Daniel Cormier said on an episode of DC & RC. “Bro, to say that in their fourth fight, Izzy said it was going to be violent. Izzy told you what he was going to do. Izzy delivered and not only did he knock him out, he put him out cold. So, to do that after a guy knocked you out, it goes to ‘The Last Stylebender’.”

“… He’s (Israel Adesanya) still going [celebrating],” Cormier laughed. “He is a sore winner. He’s a sore winner bad, ain’t he.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Urged by arch-rival, Pereira to grant him an immediate title rubber match trilogy off the back of UFC 287, Adesanya has been pegged by promotional president, Dana White to fight either Robert Whittaker or Dricus du Plessis next in Sydney, Australia before the close of this year.

Alex Pereira urges Israel Adesanya to accept UFC rubber match: ‘Let’s show the world who is better in MMA’

Continuing to trade verbal barbs with career rival, Israel Adesanya following his UFC 287 middleweight title loss last month, Brazilian knockout artist, Alex Pereira has called for the City Kickboxing mainstay to accept a trilogy rubber match with him in order to determine who is the better mixed martial arts fighter. Pereira, a former undisputed […]

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, managed to snatch Adesanya’s title back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, landing a fifth round standing TKO victory at UFC 281.

However, last month, Adesanya would score his first victory over Alex Pereira in their four-fight series, stopping the Sao Paulo knockout ace with a thunderous second round KO in the main event of UFC 287 in Miami, Florida.

Despite many backing Pereira’s 3-1 combined winning record over Adesanya throughout their kickboxing and mixed martial arts fighting series, the latter claimed that the quality of his knockout win over the former last month, should gazump any of his prior losses to Pereira.

Alex Pereira urges Israel Adesanya to fight him in UFC title trilogy fight

Taking umbrage with Adesanya’s theory, Pereira, who is set to make his light heavyweight division debut in his next Octagon walk, urged the Nigerian-Kiwi to meet him in a third mixed martial arts contest.

“In kickboxing it’s impossuble now to be better than me,” Alex Pereira tweeted in response to Israel Adesanya. “In MMA it’s 1:1. Be real with your fans and let’s show the world who is better in MMA.”

In kick-boxing it’s impossible now to be better than me. In MMA it’s 1:1. Be real with your fans and let’s show the world who is better in MMA.

— Alex "Poatan" Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) May 3, 2023

Yet to book an opponent for his expected light heavyweight climb, Pereira, a former two-weight champion under the GLORY Kickboxing banner, has weighed up potential 205lbs landings against the likes of former title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev, former champion, Jan Blachowicz, as well as current division kingpin, Jamahal Hill of note.

Israel Adesanya defends decision to mock Alex Pereira’s son following UFC 287 win: ‘I did that kid a favor’

Undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has defended his decision to mock the son of arch-rival, Alex Pereira following his victory at UFC 287 last month, claiming he did the teenager “a favor”. Adesanya, who headlined UFC 287 last month in a championship rematch against Brazilian striker, Pereira, managed to defeat the defending middleweight titleholder […]

Adesanya, who headlined UFC 287 last month in a championship rematch against Brazilian striker, Pereira, managed to defeat the defending middleweight titleholder in a second round knockout win, reclaiming his undisputed crown.

The victory came as Adesanya’s first in his four-fight series against Pereira, having dropped his middleweight title to the Sao Paulo native at UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden.

In the immediate aftermath of his win over Pereira, City Kickboxing striker, Adesanya aimed a pointed celebration in the direction of Alessandro, Pereira, his opponent’s son, recreating his mocking celebration from a 2018 knockout loss Adesanya suffered under the GLORY Kickboxing banner.

Israel Adesanya stands by decision to mock Alex Pereira’s son at UFC 287

Receiving flak for his actions – most notably from former champion and past-opponent, Robert Whittaker, Adesanya was crticized for holding a grudge against the teenager, however, he has now claimed he did the youngster a favor by mocking his father’s stoppage defeat.

“I was just like, ‘Where is he [Alessandro Pereira]?’” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “I’m going to find him. And I see his kid then his sister, I think, was holding them. She was holding them because they were crying. So I was just like, bang.”

‘“He’s only a kid.’” And I’m like, ‘And the f*ck what?’” Israel Adesanya explained. “If I had a son and he came to the cage after 287 and then start to do that next to Pereira, I’d be like, ‘What the f*ck are you doing? Come here. Apologize – apologize to that man.’”

Furthermore, Adesanya claims Pereira should have scolded and cautioned his son for his actions, claiming he had taught Alessandro a “life lesson” to boot at UFC 287.

“Guy knocked me out in his home country and then you see your kid doing that and you don’t have the discipline to scold him and then again before [UFC] 281, you’re in your car and you’re like, ‘Look what my son did.’” Israel Adesanya explained. “If you’re not going to teach your kids manners and respect, I will.”

“I did him a favor,” Israel Adesanya continued. “I did that kid a favor. Now, he has a life lesson that he can hold on to forever and just remember that. I’m glad I did it. F*ck them kids.” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Engaging in a back-and-forth on social media this week, Adesanya claimed that quality of his knockout win over the Brazilian should gazump any of his three prior losses against Pereira throughout their lenghty combat sports spat.

Israel Adesanya defends 1-3 fight record against UFC rival Alex Pereira: ‘It’s quality over quantity here’

UFC middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya has defended his 1-3 losing record against former division champion, Alex Pereira – claiming “it’s quality over quantity” off the back of his skid-snapping victory at UFC 287 last month. Chalking up his first professional victory across combat sports against Sao Paulo native, Pereira back in April in the main […]

Chalking up his first professional victory across combat sports against Sao Paulo native, Pereira back in April in the main event of UFC 287, Adesanya landed a stunning second round knockout win over the Brazilian in the pair’s championship rematch.

First matching the Pereira during their respective tenures under the GLORY Kickboxing banner back in 2016, Adesanya suffered a debated and controversial decision loss, before dropping a thunderous KO defeat of his own in a rematch the following year.

Headlining UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, Adesanya had racked up an impressive lead on all three judge’s scorecards before suffering a standing TKO loss to Pereira in the fifth and final round.

Snapping his streak of losses against the former two-weight kickboxing champion in Miami, Florida last month, Israel Adesanya rallied himself in the second round, sending Pereira to the canvas with a brutal KO loss.

Israel Adesanya makes his case for bragging rights against rival, Alex Pereira

Responding to claims that “numbers don’t lie” in the aftermath of their UFC 287 clash from Pereira, Adesanya claimed that the quality of his knockout victory surpasses the quantity of the Brazilian’s triumphs against him.

“It’s quality over quantity over here,” Israel Adesanya tweeted in response to Alex Pereira. “3-1, you can keep that. Whatever helps you SLEEP at night…”

Expected to fight either former champion and past-foe, Robert Whittaker, or surging middleweight contender, Dricus du Plessis next, Adesanya has been earmarked to headline a Sydney, Australia return for the UFC later this year.

As for Pereira, the knockout kingpin is slated to make a light heavyweight move for his next Octagon outing – weighing up a series of fights against the likes of Magomed Ankalaev, former champion, Jan Blachowicz, as well as current undisputed gold holder, Jamahal Hill.