Israel Adesanya News
Referee Marc Goddard says he cried after officiating Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum: "The darkest depths of their souls"
Chris Taylor - September 27, 2024
Longtime MMA referee Marc Goddard hadn’t been shaken up many times in his legendary career, but all that changed as Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum battled at UFC 236. Adesanya and Gastelum fought for the then-interim UFC middleweight title at UFC 236 in Atlanta. The winner earned the right to face then-UFC middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, for the lineal championship.
Israel Adesanya shares which country he believes will be “dominating” the UFC in years to come: “You’ll see like a wave”
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2024
Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on what country he believes will be dominating the UFC in the years ahead. Throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career, Israel Adesanya has had his finger on the pulse. While he may not be champion right now, he’s still such a towering figure in the sport. From his past success to questions surrounding his future, his fanbase are always eager to know what he thinks.
Israel Adesanya says teammate Navajo Stirling is "better than me!" after viral DWCS knockout
Curtis Calhoun - September 12, 2024
Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya dished high praise to Navajo Stirling after his City Kickboxing teammate’s viral win on Dana White’s Contender Series. Adesanya most recently lost to UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 last month. Despite the loss, Adesanya remains focused on changing the course of his career and eventually earning another title shot.
Israel Adesanya drops out of pound-for-pound list as Aljamain Sterling returns
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is out of the pound-for-pound list with Aljamain Sterling taking his place. Over the course of the last six years plus, Israel Adesanya has been making a name for himself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has served as one of the most entertaining fighters of his generation, and it’s been phenomenal to watch him win the UFC middleweight title not once, but twice.
Israel Adesanya makes serious accusations towards man in roadside altercation
Fernando Quiles - September 6, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has issued a statement following his viral street incident. Footage surfaced of a roadside altercation between “The Last Stylebender” and an unidentified man in New Zealand. At the end of their argument, Adesanya spat in the man’s direction. The two did not come to blows, but Adesanya has made serious accusations towards the man.
VIDEO | Israel Adesanya involved in New Zealand road rage incident: "I'm begging you to fight me!"
Curtis Calhoun - September 5, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya nearly had to use his striking prowess on the streets of New Zealand during a recent road-side altercation. Adesanya’s UFC Octagon return fell short last month as he fell to UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis by submission. It was Adesanya’s first UFC fight since a shocking loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293.
Coach explains why Israel Adesanya’s defeat to Sean Strickland is a tougher pill to swallow than loss to Dricus du Plessis: “The Strickland loss, he’ll never get over”
Harry Kettle - August 29, 2024
Eugene Bareman has explained why Israel Adesanya’s loss to Sean Strickland stings more than his defeat at the hands of Dricus du Plessis. As we know, Israel Adesanya is one of the best fighters of his generation. He’s also one of the greatest middleweights of all time. Unfortunately, in his bid to claim the UFC middleweight title for a third time, he fell short.
Henry Cejudo explains why fighting Bo Nickal "wouldn't be good" for Israel Adesanya
Cole Shelton - August 27, 2024
Henry Cejudo believes Bo Nickal would beat Israel Adesanya if they ended up fighting. Nickal is currently unranked at middleweight but has a outstanding wrestling pedigree and many have pegged him as a future contender. One of those believers is Cejudo who thinks Nickal would beat Adesanya in a potential contest as he thinks it is a bad matchup for the former champ.
Israel Adesanya feels amplified after recent visit to Nigeria: “Their flame inspired me”
Harry Kettle - August 26, 2024
Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya has said that he feels amplified following his recent visit home to Nigeria. Earlier this month, Israel Adesanya fell short in his attempt to defeat Dricus du Plessis. He was hoping to become a three-time UFC middleweight champion but instead, he fell short at the hands of the South African champion. It was a fun, competitive affair, with du Plessis eventually securing a submission triumph in the fourth round of the contest.
Alex Pereira wonders if Israel Adesanya was injured in loss to Dricus du Plessis
Fernando Quiles - August 25, 2024
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Alex Pereira, wonders if Israel Adesanya fought Dricus du Plessis with an injury. Adesanya challenged du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship in Perth, Australia in the UFC 305 headliner. The two had an exciting title fight that went to the championship rounds.
Jan Blachowicz advises Israel Adesanya to avoid going up to light heavyweight after UFC 305 loss
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2024
Jan Blachowicz doesn’t think Israel Adesanya should return to light heavyweight after his UFC 305 loss to Dricus Du Plessis. Adesanya suffered a fourth-round submission loss to Du Plessis earlier this month in Perth, a setback which marked his second-straight loss. After the defeat, the future of Adesanya was up in the air, but Izzy has said he has no plans to retire. With that, many believe ‘The Last Stylebender’ should consider a return to light heavyweight, given that he has now lost to the current champion and No. 1 contender at middleweight.
Francis Ngannou praises friend Israel Adesanya following loss to Dricus du Plessis: "We'll always support each other"
Josh Evanoff - August 22, 2024
Francis Ngannou has nothing but respect for former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 305 over the weekend. Back for the first time since losing to Sean Strickland a year ago, Israel Adesanya faced Dricus du Plessis. The South African won the gold in the former champion’s absence, defeating ‘Tarzan’ by split decision in January.
Sean Strickland believes Israel Adesanya was never a good fighter: "You had a close fight against Kelvin Gastelum"
Josh Evanoff - August 20, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland believes Israel Adesanya was never that good. ‘The Last Stylebender’ returned to the octagon on Saturday night in Australia. Back for the first time since a decision defeat to Sean Strickland last year, Israel Adesanya faced Dricus du Plessis. The South African won the gold from ‘Tarzan’ in January by split-decision, and was excited to face the former champion in his first title defense.
Israel Adesanya says he’s not friends with Dricus du Plessis but doesn’t think he’s a bad person: “We’re cool, and I respect him”
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
UFC legend Israel Adesanya has said that while he isn’t friends with Dricus du Plessis, he certainly respects him. Last weekend, Israel Adesanya failed in his attempt to capture the UFC middleweight championship for the third time. He lost to Dricus du Plessis, suffering a fourth round submission defeat at UFC 305. After the bout, though, it seemed as if the two men buried the hatchet following what seemed to be a bitter feud heading into the contest.
What's next for the Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya after UFC 305?
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2024
The UFC was in Perth, Western Australia for a UFC 305 card that saw the middleweight title up for grabs. In the main event of UFC 305, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis was looking to defend his belt for the first time against former champ Israel Adesanya. It was a highly-anticipated bout as the two have had a rivalry for years.
Israel Adesanya thought Dricus Du Plessis was "done" in the fourth round
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2024
Israel Adesanya felt like Dricus Du Plessis was done in the fourth round just moments before he got the submission win. Adesanya was fighting for the first time in nearly a year as he headlined UFC 305 against Du Plessis for the middleweight title. It was an intriguing matchup and in the fourth round, it looked like Adesanya was starting to take over. He was having success on the feet, and he says there was a moment in the round when he felt like Du Plessis was done.
Michael Bisping says Israel Adesanya "More than likely" done contending for UFC titles after loss to Dricus du Plessis
Curtis Calhoun - August 19, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping thinks Israel Adesanya has some difficult decisions to make after his latest defeat. Adesanya lost to Dricus du Plessis in the UFC 305 main event last Saturday in Perth, Australia. His bid to become a three-time UFC middleweight champion fell short, as du Plessis submitted him with a rear-naked choke in Round 4.
Dricus du Plessis explains why he gifted Israel Adesanya a jacket after UFC 305 title fight: “A token of appreciation”
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has explained why he gifted a jacket to Israel Adesanya after UFC 305. Last weekend, Dricus du Plessis successfully retained his UFC middleweight championship. He did so by submitting Israel Adesanya in a fight that was incredibly even for almost four rounds. It was a back and forth affair and at times, it seemed like Adesanya had the advantage.