Tag: UFC 305

Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters

Dan Hooker believes the UFC lightweight division’s reputation as an all-action weight class has been hampered by the rise of a few names. Hooker is among the most notable names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The New Zealander […]

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters at MMA News.

Dan Hooker believes the UFC lightweight division’s reputation as an all-action weight class has been hampered by the rise of a few names.

Hooker is among the most notable names set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The New Zealander will be making his return from injury 13 months on from his victory over Jalin Turner.

His frequent calls to secure a spot on the upcoming card Down Under were eventually answered in the form of a showdown with top-five contender Mateusz Gamrot. “The Hangman” will enter as a sizable underdog against “Gamer,” who has come under criticism in recent times for his control-heavy fight style.

Although Gamrot has promised to deliver fireworks this time around in order to stake his claim for a title shot, Hooker fully expects him to shoot and hold on for dear life.

And more than just Gamrot, the lightweight veteran believes a number of names high up the ladder took over the division by stifling those who have long kept up its reputation as an entertaining roster.

Hooker: Oliveira, Poirier, Gaethje, & Others ‘Stifled’ By Lightweight Grabbers

During a recent interview on the FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Hooker looked ahead to his opportunity to climb back into title contention at 155 pounds and assessed the current state of the weight class’ top five.

“The Hangman” put his upcoming opponent alongside champion Islam Makhachev and top contender Arman Tsarukyan as three names who moved toward the lightweight mountaintop by smothering any and all exciting styles.

“I guess it’s like the elites — not necessarily the elites, but lightweight is such a stacked division, there’s so many exciting fighters, (Charles) Oliveira, (Justin) Gaethje, (Dustin) Poirier, (Jalin) Turner, (Michael) chandler; there’s a lot of very exciting fighters within that,” Hooker said. “But now you can see the guys that — because obviously being an exciting fighter, wanting to go out there and perform, put on a show, put on an incredible fight for the fans, you need the other guy to oblige.

“If I go out there and say, ‘I just wanna go out there, slang some leather, put on an exciting fight,’ and the other guy’s plan is to just grab ahold of me and stifle me until he wins, then he’s gonna win,” Hooker continued. “I feel like the top echelon of the lightweight division now with Islam, Arman, and Gamrot is the guys that have just stifled the division. That’s why the lightweight division is in such a weird place now. These guys have been able to stifle the exciting guys.”

Hooker will look to put a stop to that trend and avoid being “stifled” by Gamrot at UFC 305 this Saturday night (Sunday morning local time).

Should he accomplish that feat in what he’s promised will be the “most exciting fight” that the Polish athlete has been in, “The Hangman” would no doubt find himself back in the championship mix at 155 pounds.

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Makhachev, Tsarukyan, Gamrot Took Over Lightweight Division By ‘Stifling’ The Exciting Fighters at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya: Dricus Du Plessis’ Past Opponents Have Underestimated His ‘Spirit’

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya knows the mistakes Dricus Du Plessis’ past opponents made that he cannot afford to replicate this weekend. The pair will collide in the main event of the UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. On the line will be Du Plessis’ […]

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya: Dricus Du Plessis’ Past Opponents Have Underestimated His ‘Spirit’ at MMA News.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya knows the mistakes Dricus Du Plessis’ past opponents made that he cannot afford to replicate this weekend.

The pair will collide in the main event of the UFC 305 pay-per-view, set to go down inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. On the line will be Du Plessis’ 185-pound gold, as he looks to make a first successful defense.

Adesanya, on the other hand, will be targeting a record third title crowning in the division — a feat yet to be achieved by any middleweight. To do so, the Nigerian-New Zealander must achieve another first.

The South African champ is yet to taste defeat on MMA’s biggest stage, going 7-0 to secure his place on the throne. Among those to fall to Du Plessis’ rise are the great Robert Whittaker and recent titleholder Sean Strickland.

But “The Last Stylebender” believes he knows how to avoid joining that list of victims, and the errors made by the likes of “The Reaper.”

Adesanya Won’t Play Into Du Plessis’ ‘Game’ At UFC 305

During an interview for UFC.com, Adesanya looked ahead to his opportunity to make history in Perth, which comes 11 months on from his shock title defeat to Strickland in Sydney last time out.

While he and Du Plessis certainly have their differences, both have expressed glimpses of praise for one another’s ability. And “The Last Stylebender” recently threw his opponent’s “spirit” and “toughness” into that mix while identifying the areas in which the South African’s past UFC rivals have failed to give him the necessary respect.

“They underestimate his spirit, his toughness,” Adesanya said. “He’s a tough guy. Also, they play his game. He makes it really dirty. And when I say dirty, it’s not in a bad way. He makes it really ugly and messy and then shoots on them and strikes from all angles and a different pace and cadence. I’ve looked at it, I’ve watched it for a while, and I look forward to exploiting it. He’s going to try to exploit me, but again, we shall see.

“When it’s time to go, when I lock in, and I’m really locked in, I destroy people,” Adesanya continued. “And this one, I’ve been really locked in for this fight and I’m going to destroy this guy.”

Having identified what he needs to be wary of, Adesanya will hope to make good on his promise to make Du Plessis’ reign a short one come fight night Down Under.

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya: Dricus Du Plessis’ Past Opponents Have Underestimated His ‘Spirit’ at MMA News.

Dricus du Plessis brings Israel Adesanya to Tears during Intense UFC 305 Press Conference

Dricus du Plessis brings Israel Adesanya crying during Intense UFC 305 Press ConferenceDricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya had quite an intense pre-fight press conference leading into UFC 305 in which…

Dricus du Plessis brings Israel Adesanya crying during Intense UFC 305 Press Conference

Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya had quite an intense pre-fight press conference leading into UFC 305 in which “The Last Stylenbender” was brought to tears and crying.

Dricus du Plessis brings Israel Adesanya to Tears

“Stillknocks” Dricus du Plessis, born in South Africa, is proud to hold the UFC title while still living in South Africa. The Nigerian-Kiwi Adesanya has called out du Plessis for not being a real African because he is white. Du Plessis countered by saying Adesanya grew up wealthy and did not have to struggle.

Here was an exchange at the UFC 305 press conference that made Israel Adesanya cry. “The Last Stylenbender” opened with:

“On Tuesday, I’m going back to Nigeria. I think on Friday I’m going to South Africa, and then next week I’m going back to New Zealand. I am a child of the earth, and when I take this belt, I’m taking it everywhere with me.”

Dricus du Plessis said:

“Are you taking the servants with you when you’re going back? Are you taking the servants with you when you’re going back?”

Israel Adesanya replied:

“Shut the f* up! You don’t even know anything about my story. You have no idea who the f* I am. Don’t care about my story? Listen, my father and I had to wake up at 4:00 a.m. and clean the banks while my mom studied to be a nurse. You don’t know my story, so don’t speak of it if you don’t know it. I will show you who you are on Sunday. So right now, shut the f*** up.”

Lastly, with tears in his eyes and looking at his family in the front row, Israel Adesanya concluded with:

“He touched on the subject there. I do this for my family. I do this for the people I love, and I will fight for you forever, I swear to God. Watch this—look, I’m a human being, I am a man. I can cry and whoop your ass at the same time. I feel the love from the crowd. The first time I fought here was UFC 221, back in February 2018. That was me making my dream come true. But on Sunday, I’m going to kill your dreams, b****.”

Israel Adesanya crying UFC 305

Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya – UFC 305

South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis was able to capture the middleweight title from Sean Strickland, the same man who defeated and took the championship from Israel Adesanya. Now, the former division king to looking to reclaim his title at UFC 305. It has been an intense pre-fight lead-up full of tears and crying. This middleweight championship title match goes down live from Perth, Australia booked for this weekend.

UFC 305 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Dricus Du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, Tai Tuivasa, & More

We’re deep into UFC 305 fight week, meaning it was time for the top fighters set to be in action on August 17 to take to the stage and answer some questions. The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, where the main attraction of the promotion’s trip […]

Continue Reading UFC 305 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Dricus Du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, Tai Tuivasa, & More at MMA News.

We’re deep into UFC 305 fight week, meaning it was time for the top fighters set to be in action on August 17 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, where the main attraction of the promotion’s trip Down Under will see UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis put his belt on the line in a grudge match against Israel Adesanya.

Setting the stage for the headliners will be Perth’s own Steve Erceg and Adesanya’s fellow City Kickboxing standout Kai Kara-France. The former will look to bounce back from his narrow title defeat to Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil this past May, while his Kiwi opponent returns over a year on from a setback opposite Amir Albazi last time out.

Also of note on the main card is the chance for Dan Hooker to return to the lightweight title picture against top-five contender Mateusz Gamrot, a likely guaranteed knockout when Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Rozenstruik collide, and the comeback of “The Leech” Li Jingliang.

As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Friday afternoon local time for the pre-fight press conference. The UFC 305 edition saw the final eight fighters set to be in action with mic in hand.

Check out a stream of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, followed by the highlights and faceoffs.

UFC 305 Pre-Fight Press Conference Stream

UFC 305 Press Conference Highlights

UFC 305 Press Conference Faceoffs

Continue Reading UFC 305 Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs: Featuring Dricus Du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker, Tai Tuivasa, & More at MMA News.

‘Big’ John McCarthy Admonishes Israel Adesanya For Previous In-Octagon Lack Of Conduct: ‘I Would Have Taken Points From Him!’

“Big” John McCarthy recently took Israel Adesanya to task, criticizing the former UFC middleweight champion for his past lapses in Octagon etiquette. “The Last Stylebender” is slated to challenge reigning titleholder Dricus Du Plessis in the long-awaited main event of UFC 305, set to unfold this weekend at the iconic RAC Arena in Perth, Western […]

Continue Reading ‘Big’ John McCarthy Admonishes Israel Adesanya For Previous In-Octagon Lack Of Conduct: ‘I Would Have Taken Points From Him!’ at MMA News.

“Big” John McCarthy recently took Israel Adesanya to task, criticizing the former UFC middleweight champion for his past lapses in Octagon etiquette.

“The Last Stylebender” is slated to challenge reigning titleholder Dricus Du Plessis in the long-awaited main event of UFC 305, set to unfold this weekend at the iconic RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

Adesanya is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished middleweight champions in UFC history, boasting an impressive five successful title defenses. However, he’s just as well known for his flair and flamboyance inside and outside the Octagon, where his antics have become almost as famous as his fighting style.

The Nigerian-born Kiwi is equally notorious for his sharp-tongued trash talk, a skill he uses to rattle his opponents. A standout moment occurred at UFC 290 in July 2023, when Adesanya stormed into the Octagon and unleashed a tirade of profanity-laced insults at Du Plessis, ignited by the South African’s provocative comments questioning Adesanya’s African heritage.

Similarly, after his TKO win over Paulo Costa at UFC 253 in September 2020, “The Last Stylebender” stirred controversy with his post-fight antics, delivering a few humiliating parting “humps” from behind to his opponent.

“Big John,” often hailed as the pioneer of MMA refereeing, strongly disapproves of Adesanya’s behavior…

McCarthy Says He Would Have Corrected Adesanya’s Attitude

During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast with Josh Thomson, McCarthy weighed in on the brewing animosity between Du Plessis and Adesanya ahead of their clash at UFC 305. The seasoned MMA referee predicted that once the fight concludes, the tension between them will dissipate, and they will likely show mutual respect toward each other.

“The whole point is, like, all of that goes out the window when they fight,” McCarthy said. “It’s not about where you’re from, it’s about what you bring.”

McCarthy went on to voice his disdain for Adesanya’s post-fight actions with Costa, stating that had he been the referee for that bout, he would have unequivocally impressed upon Izzy that such behavior tarnishes the integrity of the sport.

“Izzy’s done a lot of things. If you take a look, he did the whole thing, if you remember, with Paulo Costa. Okay, I’m telling you right now, if I was refereeing that fight, I would have stopped the fight. I would have f**king taken him off. I would have f**king taken points from him. I would have f**king changed his attitude as far as ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ Okay? You don’t do things in that cage that are disrespectful to the sport, disrespectful to your promoter, disrespectful to the fans, disrespectful to your opponent. You don’t do it. You know, you get the chance to—you can punch him in the face, but you don’t have to do the other bullsh*t.”

Continue Reading ‘Big’ John McCarthy Admonishes Israel Adesanya For Previous In-Octagon Lack Of Conduct: ‘I Would Have Taken Points From Him!’ at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya Irritated by the UFC’s Attempts to Erase Francis Ngannou

Israel Adesanya Irritated by the UFC's Attempts to Erase Francis NgannouIsrael Adesanya does not approve of the UFC’s attempts to erase Francis Ngannou’s legacy. On Saturday, ‘The Last Stylebender’…

Israel Adesanya Irritated by the UFC's Attempts to Erase Francis Ngannou

Israel Adesanya does not approve of the UFC’s attempts to erase Francis Ngannou’s legacy.

On Saturday, ‘The Last Stylebender’ will make his return to the Octagon in a bid to become a three-time middleweight world champion. Standing in his way will be the division’s reigning king, Dricus Du Plessis, who is primed to bag his first successful defense and take the title back home to South Africa.

Adesanya vs. DDP

Undoubtedly cheering on Adesanya will be former UFC heavyweight champ Ngannou who remains close friends with the ‘Stylebender’ despite walking away from the promotion more than a year ago in search of greener pastures. Since his exit, you’d be hard-pressed to find any mention of Ngannou on UFC programming, but that hasn’t stopped CEO Dana White from taking a dig at the Cameroonian and his new employer, the Professional Fighters League, anytime the opportunity arises.

Earlier this year, the UFC went so far as to label Tafon Nchukwi the company’s first and only Cameroonian fighter during a live broadcast, completely ignoring the fact that Ngannou was born, raised, and lived a large portion of his life in the Central African country.

Francis Ngannou history erased

Another incident occurred earlier this week when fans noticed that a comment Adesanya made about Ngannou was seemingly edited out of the UFC 305 Embedded series. ‘Stylebender’ noticed it as well and was quick to voice his displeasure over his employer’s continued attempts to ignore Ngannou’s place in UFC history.

“I will support them as well, and also, you could never erase Francis’s history from the UFC.” Israel Adesanya stated in an interview with ESPN MMA. “I’ll say that. It’s part of history, we need to fix that. I don’t like that, I don’t like that we’re just trying to cut out a really important part of history.”

He continued, “It’s silly. It’s really silly. But we’ll fix that, that’s for later on. We will fix that” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Francis Ngannou makes his PFL debut in October

Eight weeks after Israel Adesanya attempts to settle some business with Dricus Du Plessis, Ngannou will make his long-awaited PFL debut. Headlining the promotion’s first superfight series on pay-per-view, ‘The Predator’ will square off with 2023 PFL heavyweight tournament winner Renan Ferreira.

Ferreira earned the opportunity to fight Ngannou with a 21-second knockout of Ryan Bader at the PFL vs. Bellator event in Riyadh last year.

Francis Ngannou

Overall, Ngannou is 17-3 in his professional mixed martial arts career with 11 of his victories coming by way of KO. He has not lost an MMA bout since July 2018.