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Israel Adesanya‘s comeback to the Octagon was not as successful as the MMA community anticipated it to be. The former two-time middleweight champ failed to clinch the 185 lbs belt for the third time as Dricus Du Plessis stunned the world by submitting Adesanya in the fourth round. ‘StyleBender’ was coming from a year of layoff and was expected to perform better but the reality was a bit different. Based on his performance at UFC 305, Alex Pereira shared his own analogy, stating that the light-heavyweight champion, Adesanya, was gravely injured.
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After witnessing Israel Adesanya’s defeat, Alex Pereira knew something was off. The former middleweight and the current light-heavyweight champion took to his YouTube handle to give his analogy about Adesanya’s injury and it appears for once in his lifetime, ‘StyleBender’ has agreed with Pereira.
Israel Adesanya agrees with Alex Pereira’s analogy of his injury
Alex Pereira took to his YouTube handle to upload a video where he stated that despite Israel Adesanya being a predominant kickboxer, he rarely threw any kicks during his match against Dricus Du Plessis. “You could see he kicked very little. Things I saw, that inside kick of Adesanya is very good. Not everyone can do that, but he can do it very well. It was a good weapon, and he didn’t continue doing that inside kick,” said Pereira.
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Israel Adesanya seldom employed his kickboxing skills against Du Plessis, focusing most of his attacks on throwing punches. So was there really an injury on the part of the Kiwi fighter? Well, it appears that there was actually an injury as it has now been confirmed by Adesanya himself. Responding to Pereira’s analogy video on X, Adesanya wrote, “It’s weird how this guy knows me. Its like we’ve spent hours studying each other’s moves or fought multiple times or sumn, I mean that.”
Adesanya’s kick has always been a troubling matter for his opponents considering that he is one of the most accomplished kickboxers. Alex Pereira in his analogy further emphasized that even Dricus Du Plessis knows that ‘StyleBender’ would have won if he had thrown his signature kick, “Even Dricus said it bothered him, also bothered me. I said it before to the people who asked me. He didn’t continue to do it. When he is only throwing hands, I think it’s easier for the opponent to protect themselves, or to get out.”
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Israel Adesanya will have to understand that in order to get back to the winning bracket, he will have to make sure to counter grappling efforts by the fighters. Regardless, Pereira is not the only person who has broken down ‘StyleBender’s defeat.
Mike Tyson’s ex-coach reveals Adesanya’s habit that fueled his defeat
Israel Adesanya’s defeat was a shocking event for not only the MMA community but also the boxing people as well. Mike Tyson’s ex-coach and legend Teddy Atlas stated that Adesanya’s defeat can be rooted down to his long habit which forces him to go back straight at his opponents. “What got him there? A strike got him there,” said Atlas.
He further added, “What got him where he could lad the strike was a habit by Izzy who is a great athlete who’s one of the greatest middleweights UFC of all time but has a habit of going back straight.Izzy was going back straight early rounds getting away with it. But I am sure that Du Plessis took note. I am sure his corner took note.”
Israel Adesanya is currently riding a two-fight losing streak and might be needing a worthy win to keep his legacy. Regardless, what’s your take on the fight? State your thoughts in the comments below.
Written by
Edited by
Joyita Das