Israel Adesanya News
Joanna Jedrzejczyk breaks down Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya
Adam Martin - January 4, 2021
Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk broke down the upcoming 205lbs matchup between Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya. Jedrzejczyk and Blachowicz have been friends for years as they are two of the best fighters to ever come out of Poland. Ahead of Blachowicz’s upcoming title defense at UFC 259 for the UFC light heavyweight championship against Israel Adesanya, Jedrzejczyk spoke to South China Morning Post and broke down the matchup. While she acknowledges that she has a close friendship with Blachowicz, she also admits Adesanya is a unique challenge.
Jon Jones taunts Israel Adesanya and Jan Blachowicz: "I didn’t leave the light heavyweight division to challenge myself, I ran out of fear"
Chris Taylor - January 2, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has reacted following news that Israel Adesanya will challenge Jan Blachowicz. Earlier this week, Dana White announced that the promotions reining middleweight champion in Adesanya would be moving up a weight class to challenge Blachowicz for the 205-pound title at UFC 259.
Video | Israel Adesanya reacts after booking title fight with Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259
Chris Taylor - December 31, 2020
Israel Adesanya will look to become a UFC champ-champ in 2021 when he challenges Jan Blachowicz for the promotions light heavyweight title. The UFC’s reigning and undefeated middleweight champion, Adesanya (20-0 MMA), is set to collide with Blachowicz (27-8 MMA) in the main event of UFC 259 on March 6.
Jan Blachowicz reacts to Israel Adesanya booking: "Charging legendary Polish power"
Tom Taylor - December 31, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz has shared his first public reaction to his upcoming title defense against middleweight champ Israel Adesanya. Blachowicz and Adesanya have been linked to a champion versus champion fight for several months, and last night, UFC President Dana White made it official. The fight is targeted for UFC 259 on March 6.
Israel Adesanya reacts after being voted ‘Fighter of The Year’ for 2020
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2020
UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya has reacted to being named Fighter of the Year in the Fighters Only World MMA Awards. Adesanya managed to register two big wins in 2020, and while his victory over Yoel Romero may have been controversial, the success against Paulo Costa was as emphatic as it gets.
Israel Adesanya named Fighter of the Year at World MMA Awards, full list of winners revealed
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was named winner of the Charles “Mask” Lewis Fighter of the Year award at the World MMA Awards. Adesanya took home the top prize of the night in being voted as the best fighter of the year, and he was among a number of deserving award winners at the 12th World MMA Awards. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 12th edition of the Fighters Only World MMA Awards took place remotely on December 27, 2020. It should be noted the awards timeline for inclusion stretched from January 2019 to July 2020. Check out the full list of this edition’s winning fighters below (via MMAjunkie.com).
Israel Adesanya will get light heavyweight title shot before Glover Teixeira, confirms Dana White
Adam Martin - December 16, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that Israel Adesanya will get the next light heavyweight title shot before Glover Teixeira does. Adesanya knocked out Paulo Costa in the main event of UFC 253 in September to defend the UFC middleweight title, and in the co-main event of that card, Jan Blachowicz knocked out Dominick Reyes to win the vacant UFC light heavyweight title. Following UFC 253, White surprised a lot of fans and media when he said the promotion liked the idea of seeing Adesanya move up to 205lbs to take on Blachowicz in a bid to become a double champion.
Dana White names the fight he wants to see most in 2021: "It’s impossible for me not to love Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya"
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White has named the fight he’s most hoping to see in the New Year, and it’s unlikely that many fans are going to disagree with him. During a recent interview with Aaron Bronsteter of TSN, White was asked to name one fight, above all others, that he’s hoping will come together in 2021. After a moment of consideration, he had his answer ready.
Israel Adesanya explains why he wants his future opponents to attempt takedowns: “I’ve got some tricks that I want to use”
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2020
UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya wants to see some of his future opponents test the waters with some takedown attempts. Adesanya is riding high in the UFC right now after he was able to successfully defend his Middleweight Championship earlier this year courtesy of a picture perfect display against divisional rival Paulo Costa.
Marvin Vettori responds to Israel Adesanya’s claim that they will never fight again
Adam D Martin - December 6, 2020
Marvin Vettori responded to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s bold claim that they will never fight again inside the Octagon. Vettori defeated Jack Hermansson via unanimous decision in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 16 for the biggest win of his career to date. Vettori should take over Hermansson’s old spot at No. 4 in the rankings following the victory, which is the Italian’s fourth straight win in a row. It puts Vettori just a few spots behind Adesanya in the UFC middleweight title ranks. Another win or two and Vettori could get a title shot.
Demetrious Johnson responds to Israel Adesanya's GOAT comment
Tom Taylor - December 2, 2020
ONE Championship flyweight star Demetrious Johnson has responded to some recent praise from UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Adesanya was recently asked who he considers the greatest fighter in MMA history, and promptly identified Johnson as his pick.
Jack Hermansson explains why he is pulling for Israel Adesanya against Jan Blachowicz
Harry Kettle - November 30, 2020
UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson has explained why he would like to see Israel Adesanya defeat Jan Blachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Hermansson is set to step back into the Octagon on Saturday night for the first time since his win over Kelvin Gastelum on Fight Island. “The Joker” was set to face both Darren Till and Kevin Holland before they were forced to pull out, and now, he’s square off against fellow European star Marvin Vettori.
Israel Adesanya to serve as "ringside analyst" for Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. card
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is slated to appear as a “ringside analyst” for the upcoming Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. boxing card. Tyson and Jones, two legends of the boxing ring, will meet in a special, eight-round exhibition bout this Saturday night. The undercard of the event will feature names like Jake Paul, Nate Robinson, Badou Jack, Rashad Coulter, and as it turns out, we’ll also be hearing from Adesanya during the broadcast.
Coach claims Jon Jones is following in Israel Adesanya's footsteps
Tom Taylor - November 23, 2020
Coach Eugene Bareman claims Jon Jones has followed in the footsteps of his star pupil Israel Adesanya — and not the other way around. While Jones has been in the UFC far longer than Adesanya has, Bareman notes that Jones only decided to move from light heavyweight to heavyweight when Adesanya began considering a move from middleweight to light heavyweight.
Israel Adesanya goes off on MMA manager for being a “clout trout”
Adam Martin - November 20, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya went off on manager Abe Kawa in a social media rant, accusing the agent of being a “clout trout.” Adesanya will be providing analysis for next weekend’s Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. boxing exhibition match. However, according to Kawa, his client Jorge Masvidal was offered the opportunity to be an analyst first and he turned it down. Adesanya did not like what Kawa said and took it as an opportunity to reveal that in 2018, Kawa tried to recruit Adesanya to his stable of fighters at First Round Management. He posted screenshots, too.
Video | Alex Pereira, the lone man to KO Israel Adesanya, scores another nasty knockout
Adam Martin - November 20, 2020
GLORY kickboxing ace Alex Pereira, the lone man to knockout Israel Adesanya, made his LFA debut on Friday night and scored another nasty KO. Pereira is the GLORY kickboxing middleweight and interim light heavyweight champion at the moment, but he is also an MMA fighter with a 2-1 record. Alex recently spoke to BJPenn.com and indicated that he was planning on taking more MMA fights, as he disclosed that he can take two fights a year with LFA as part of his current GLORY deal. On Friday night at LFA 95, Pereira took advantage of that clause in his contract when he made his promotional debut against Thomas Powell, a fight where Pereira scored a crazy KO.
Jon Jones has a message for Israel Adesanya: “There’s no red panty night without me”
Harry Kettle - November 17, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones has sent a clear message to rival Israel Adesanya regarding a potential showdown between the two. While both men may seem to be heading in different directions right now, it seems like just a matter of time before two of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s true greats square off inside the Octagon.
Khamzat Chimaev continues to call out Israel Adesanya despite being booked against Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2020
Khamzat Chimaev is looking to fight middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. Ever since Chimaev had an impressive stint on Fight Island where he dominated John Phillips and Rhys McKee at middleweight then welterweight, he had been calling out the champions. He made it clear he would finish both Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, but it appears more of his attention has gone towards Adesanya.