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Alexander Volkanovski Predicts ‘Paulo Costa’ Performance For Israel Adesanya In UFC 305 Return: ‘Dricus Is A Tough Guy, But…’

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is envisioning a strong return to competition for his teammate and friend Israel Adesanya later this month. Adesanya hasn’t competed since losing the middleweight title in surprising fashion against Sean Strickland last September at UFC 293 in Sydney. He subsequently pointed to a high level of activity when announcing […]

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski Predicts ‘Paulo Costa’ Performance For Israel Adesanya In UFC 305 Return: ‘Dricus Is A Tough Guy, But…’ at MMA News.

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is envisioning a strong return to competition for his teammate and friend Israel Adesanya later this month.

Adesanya hasn’t competed since losing the middleweight title in surprising fashion against Sean Strickland last September at UFC 293 in Sydney. He subsequently pointed to a high level of activity when announcing plans for an extended layoff.

That break comes to an end in less than two weeks’ time, with “The Last Stylebender” set for the chance to achieve three-time champ status when he returns to action back on Australian soil.

At UFC 305 on August 17, Perth’s RAC Arena will play host to Adesanya’s comeback fight opposite reigning 185-pound kingpin Dricus Du Plessis.

The South African has continued to prove his detractors wrong on MMA’s biggest stage, first by earning top contender status with a win over Robert Whittaker last year and then by dethroning Strickland this past January in Canada.

In Adesanya, though, Volkanovski thinks “Stillknocks” will arrive at a hurdle too tall…

Volkanovski Predicts ‘Incredible’ Comeback Performance For Adesanya

During an interview with talkSPORT MMA while in Manchester for UFC 304 late last month, Volkanovski looked ahead to the promotion’s next numbered event, which takes place in his home country Down Under.

“Alexander the Great,” an occasional teammate of Adesanya’s at City Kickboxing in New Zealand, is expecting the former two-time champ to have gold wrapped around his waist to close out the card on August 17.

And to do so, Volkanovski is predicting the kind of performance that Adesanya put in to claim the title for the first time in 2019 and record his second defense a year later.

“We’re gonna see him coming back; I think he’s gonna look incredible,” Volkanovski said. “Dricus is a tough guy, great fighter. But I think this Israel that’s gonna turn up is gonna be one of those — you know, when he comes back and you see a Paulo Costa performance, or even the first Robert Whittaker performance.”

With talk of a bulked-up physique and improvements behind closed doors since returning to training earlier this year, Adesanya will look to show that he’s got plenty left in the tank by returning to the middleweight throne in emphatic fashion.

Read More: Dricus Du Plessis Feels He Would Have Knocked Israel Adesanya Out If He Were In Sean Strickland’s Shoes: ‘If I Catch Him With That Shot…’

Continue Reading Alexander Volkanovski Predicts ‘Paulo Costa’ Performance For Israel Adesanya In UFC 305 Return: ‘Dricus Is A Tough Guy, But…’ at MMA News.

Dricus Du Plessis Feels He Would Have Knocked Israel Adesanya Out If He Were In Sean Strickland’s Shoes: ‘If I Catch Him With That Shot…’

Israel Adesanya returns to the Octagon at UFC 305 after taking some time off to put bad memories of his most recent outing behind him. Adesanya lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland in one of the biggest title fight upsets in UFC history last year at UFC 293. Whilst the challenger had a great […]

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis Feels He Would Have Knocked Israel Adesanya Out If He Were In Sean Strickland’s Shoes: ‘If I Catch Him With That Shot…’ at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya returns to the Octagon at UFC 305 after taking some time off to put bad memories of his most recent outing behind him.

Adesanya lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland in one of the biggest title fight upsets in UFC history last year at UFC 293.

Whilst the challenger had a great night in general, the defining moment of the fight was when he caught and dropped “The Last Stylebender” in the first round but was unable to get the finish.

This came as such a shock to many fans who felt like Strickland simply wouldn’t be on the same level as the champion, when it came to the striking exchanges.

Adesanya’s next opponent and the current champion paid special interest to this.

Dricus Du Plessis Says He Would’ve Finished Israel Adesanya With The Same Strike

Dricus Du Plessis is much more of a power striker than Strickland, who he defeated earlier this year to become the middleweight champion.

Whilst the former champ may be very accurate and defensively sound, “Stillknocks” has the momentum and force to stop any opponent and that gives him confidence ahead of August 17.

Du Plessis believes that he can close the show on Adesanya in their heated grudge match in Perth, especially if he’s able to land something similar to the strike Strickland landed last year.

He spoke in a recent interview with mainevent on Fox Sports about how “The Last Stylebender” wouldn’t have made it out of the first round if it was him in there that night.

“If I land that shot that Sean Strickland landed, the fight is over right there, 100%. We know that Strickland’s not a power puncher. I’ve felt, and Strickland’s a great boxer, his boxing is really really good. Very awkward and amazing jab, he throws that 1-2 and he does it great but he doesn’t have that starch power and he put him down. I honestly thought the fight was over but if I catch him with that shot then it’s over.”

Continue Reading Dricus Du Plessis Feels He Would Have Knocked Israel Adesanya Out If He Were In Sean Strickland’s Shoes: ‘If I Catch Him With That Shot…’ at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya weighs 230lbs before UFC 305 title fight return: ‘He’s hitting like a truck’

According to his long-time City Kickboxing training partner, Dan Hooker, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has ballooned up…

According to his long-time City Kickboxing training partner, Dan Hooker, former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has ballooned up to 230lbs ahead of his title fight at UFC 305 next month – and his putting some serious power behind his shots in sparring.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight gold holder, is slated to make his return next month in the main event of UFC 305, taking on arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis in his quest for a third title reign as he features ‘Dowunder’ for the second straight fight.

Israel Adesanya vows to beat every fighter in fantastic fashion before UFC career ends

Last time out, the Nigerian-Kiwi headlined UFC 293 in September of last year, dropping a one-sided unanimous decision loss to the outspoken current number one contender, Sean Strickland, in a massive upset victory for the now-former champion.

Dricus du Plessis mocks Israel Adesanya over kiss me jibe ahead of UFC 305 I'm not a dog

Israel Adesanya gains huge weight pre-UFC 305

Returning to action next month in tandem with Hooker – who is booked to take on Polish lightweight star, Mateusz Gamrot at the RAC Arena, Israel Adesanya has put on huge size ahead of his return in a championship setting, according to the Kiwi.

Israel Adesanya picks Jamahal Hill to beat Alex Pereira by KO in UFC 300 title fight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Israel (Adesanya) is – I can’t even bother sparring him at the moment,” Dan Hooker told Submission Radio. “Like the way he’s hitting me, I think he’s like 105 kilos (230lbs). “I’m just like, ‘F*cking just kick like, just kick me in the leg’. And I was like, ‘Ah get f*cked’. I was just like, nah. Yeah, like that. He’s had some time off, he was carrying some injuries. He spent a lot of time just packing on some size and like a lot of strength, bro.”

“And he’s just hitting like a truck, man” Hooker continued. “Yeah, I can’t even be bothered sparring him, like he’s hitting too hard. So, I can’t wait until he can get out there. So if you think you can just walk in his front door and raid his fridge, I think you’re in for a rude awakening.”

Who do you think wins at UFC 305 next month: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

MMA News Today: Dan Hooker Reveals Israel Adesanya Has Bulked Up To 230 Pounds Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis Fight, Jon Anik On Staying Impartial While Calling Friend Belal Muhammad’s Title Fight At UFC 304, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 15, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Dan Hooker Says Israel Adesanya Is Hitting Too Hard For Them To Spar One Another When Israel Adesanya returns at UFC 305 to try and recapture the middleweight […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Dan Hooker Reveals Israel Adesanya Has Bulked Up To 230 Pounds Ahead Of Dricus Du Plessis Fight, Jon Anik On Staying Impartial While Calling Friend Belal Muhammad’s Title Fight At UFC 304, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 15, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

Hooker says Adesanya sparring isn’t on his wish list right now
Anik never lets his relationships affect his commentary
Blaydes says he’s keeping things simple ahead of Aspinall rematch

Dan Hooker Says Israel Adesanya Is Hitting Too Hard For Them To Spar One Another

When Israel Adesanya returns at UFC 305 to try and recapture the middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis, he will do so off the back of his longest break between fights since signing with the promotion.

“The Last Stylebender” decided to take some much-needed and well-earned time to regroup before jumping back inside the Octagon, following his loss to Sean Strickland.

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, his City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker spoke about how Adesanya has been bulking up outside of training camp.

The lightweight contender, who has sparred with the former middleweight champion for a long time, said that his fellow New Zealander is starting to pack too much of a punch for him to trade shots with.

“I can’t even be bothered sparring him at the moment like the way he’s hitting. I think he’s like 105 kilos [around 230 pounds], I’m just like f******, kicked me in the leg and I was like ‘get f*****!’. He’s had some time off, he was carrying some injuries, he spent a lot of time just packing on some size and like a lot of strength bro and he’s hitting like a truck man. I can’t even be bothered sparring him… like he’s hitting too hard.”

Jon Anik Says Relationship With Belal Muhammad Won’t Affect His UFC 304 Commentary

It’s only natural for UFC commentators to have relationships and friendships with some of the fighters that are signed to the roster.

This is especially difficult in a sport like MMA where the highs are so high and the lows are so low but Jon Anik always looks to separate his work from his personal feelings.

At UFC 304, Anik’s friend Belal Muhammad will finally get his first shot at welterweight gold when he challenges Leon Edwards on July 27.

Anik spoke in a recent interview with InsideFighting about how he always looks to serve the moment and both fighters as best as he can, regardless of whether he has personal connections to them.

“No, I feel like once the athlete hits the tunnel, any of those types of feeling or emotions go away. As I’ve said repeatedly, Dominick Cruz is probably the guy I’m closest to, I mean Belal’s obviously right there on his heels as are other athletes.

“you establish a lot of interpersonal relationship and you can’t help that but it certainly doesn’t affect the call. I can assure you and everybody else if Leon Edwards head kicks Belal Muhammad into oblivion, my call is going to reflect that and there was nothing hard about me screaming with veins popping out of my mouth, ‘Stipe gets his revenge’, even though he did it against Daniel Cormier.”

Curtis Blaydes Isn’t Adjusting His Approach For Fighting Tom Aspinall At UFC 304

In the co-main event in Manchester, Tom Aspinall’s interim heavyweight title will be on the line when he faces Curtis Blaydes in a rematch.

Blaydes, who is now a 22-fight veteran, has faced the majority of the top names at heavyweight at this stage.

He spoke in an interview with the media during this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, about how his approach to this fight is the same as always.

Rather than working specifically on his opponent’s approach, Blaydes simply looks to bring the best version of himself to England in order to come away with the win.

“Conditioning (has been the focus in camp). That’s the same old,” Blaydes said. “I don’t adjust for anyone. I have prepared for this fight the same way I prepare for everyone. I don’t like to add extra adjustments, extra things to think about. There’s already a whole lot, we don’t need to add anything else.

“Just a normal, standard fight camp,” Blaydes continued. “Eight weeks of sparring, drilling, running, icing; normal stuff.”

Read more on the story here.

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Alex Pereira backs Israel Adesanya to win title fight in return at UFC 305: ‘He has a beautiful story’

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has wished his four-fight opponent, Israel Adesanya luck in his title fight at…

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has wished his four-fight opponent, Israel Adesanya luck in his title fight at UFC 305 next month in Australia, claiming he hopes the former middleweight champion wins the title in his fight with Dricus du Plessis.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the incumbent light heavyweight gold holder, has twice faced Adesanya in both Kickboxing and mixed martial arts – establishing a 3-1 record against the City Kickboxing star during their respective combat sports careers.

Manager picks surprise rematch for Alex Pereira after UFC 303 win that's underwhelming

And minting himself as the undisputed middleweight gold holder back in 2022, Pereira handed Adesanya his first loss at 185lbs with a stunning, come-from-behind knockout win at Madison Square Garden in their title clash.

Most recently headlining UFC 303 at the end of last month, Pereira turned in the second successful defense of his light heavyweight crown with a blistering second round high-kick knockout win over two-time foe, Jiri Prochazka.

Alex Pereira hopes Israel Adesanya wins title at UFC 305

And ahead of Adesanya’s title charge at UFC 305 next month ‘Downunder’, Pereira has wished his former opponent well, claiming he has a “beautiful story” in combat sports.

Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya is not the same since he knocked him out he changed a little bit — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“I don’t think he (Israel Adesanya) loses this fight [against Dricus du Plessis],” Alex Pereira said on his YouTube channel. “I hope he wins because he has a beautiful story. I think he has to continue his story. He isn’t a young guy. He talked a little about wanting to stop [fighting]. I think he has that in mind, I think he should continue his plans. I don’t think he finished his plans, I don’t know if he finished them he would of stopped, so if he is still there he still has a dream. I don’t know.”

“… I’m here supporting him,” Alex Pereira continued. “I already fought him, I’m not going to say he should lose. I’m not mad at him, no grudges. Like I said, if one day it’s possible to train with him exchanging knowledge.”

What are your thoughts on Alex Pereira’s rivalry with Israel Adesanya?

Report – Dan Hooker return in the works for UFC 305 in Perth fight against Mateusz Gamrot

Perennial lightweight contender, Dan Hooker is targeted to make his return next month on the main card of UFC…

Perennial lightweight contender, Dan Hooker is targeted to make his return next month on the main card of UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, with a pairing against Polish contender, Mateusz Gamrot in the works for the RAC Arena card.

Hooker, the current number eleven ranked lightweight contender, has been sidelined since UFC 290 back in July of last year, landing a split decision win over Jalin Turner to extend his winning spree to two straight fights for the first time since 2020.

Dan Hooker vs. Mateusz Gamrot targeted for UFC 305

For Gamrot, the former two-division KSW gold holder holds the number five rank at lightweight, most recently earned his third victory in a row, taking out former undisputed champion, Rafael dos Anjos win at UFC 299 in March of this year.

News of Dan Hooker’s targeted fight against Mateusz Gamrot was first reported by MMA Junkie this afternoon.

Dan Hooker's long search for a #UFC305 foe ends with Mateusz Gamrot in Perth.

Read more: https://t.co/wlu9ewLAfD pic.twitter.com/Mn9oUV0IRg

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 12, 2024

Searching high and low for a spot on next month’s massive UFC 305 pay-per-view card in Australia alongside incoming headliner and middleweight title challenger, Israel Adesanya, Kiwi striker, Hooker had floated quite a few pairings prior to his landing with Gamrot.

Last month, the City Kickboxing staple sent fans into raptures after claiming he had agreed a deal to take on former champion, Charles Oliviera in a huge pairing on the same flagship card – before claiming he had then made the matchup up himself.

Suffering losses to just perennial contender Beneil Dariush and a controversial decision loss to Guram Kutateladze in his promotional bow, Gamrot added dos Anjos to a streak which included prior victories against both Rafael Fiziev, and common-foe, Turner. Gamrot also holds a main event win over expected incoming lightweight title challenger, Arman Tsarukyan.

UFC 305 takes place on August 18. from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, with an undisputed middleweight championship fight between the incumbent, Dricus du Plessis, and challenger, Israel Adesanya set to headline the return ‘Downunder’.

Who do you think wins at UFC 305 next month: Dan Hooker or Mateusz Gamrot?