Israel Adesanya News
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane, Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for UFC 270
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Two title fights featuring Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane and Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 are being targeted for UFC 270. According to the French outlet “La Sueur,” UFC 270 is being planned to take place on January 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is not official yet, but the UFC plans on having the UFC heavyweight title unified that night between the champ Ngannou and the interim champ Gane. As for the co-main event, the plan is to have to rematch between Adesanya and Whittaker. Overall, with these two title fights at the top of the bill, UFC 270 is shaping up to be a stacked card already. MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter added the following:
Israel Adesanya takes a shot at Jon Jones following post with fiancée
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya took a shot at former UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones following his post with his fiancée. Jones was arrested two weeks ago in Las Vegas after his 2013 fight against Alexander Gustafsson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Following the HOF ceremony, Jones was arrested on an alleged domestic battery incident that left his fiancée, Jessie Moses, with bumps and bruises on her face, according to hotel security. In addition, Jones was also charged with damaging a police vehicle after reportedly headbutting it. Days after this incident, however, Jones took to his social media to share a video of him and Moses kissing and making up. According to Jones, he and Moses plan on sticking together through the good and the bad. But posting the video has led to him taking shots from his rivals, and Adesanya had no problem taking to his social media to poke fun at Jones for the video.
Michael Bisping suggests "fun fight with a big storyline" for UFC champion Israel Adesanya
Chris Taylor - October 2, 2021
Former UFC champion Michael Bisping has suggested a “fun fight” with a “big storyline” for reigning middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya. Adesanya (21-1 MMA) is expected to collide in a rematch with Robert Whittaker in early 2022. Should ‘Stylebender’ emerge victorious over ‘The Reaper’ for a second time, Michael Bisping believes he knows the perfect next challenger.
Israel Adesanya blasts Jon Jones after recent arrest: 'He’s gonna f**k up again, he can’t help it'
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2021
Israel Adesanya has taken a shot at Jon Jones after his recent arrest. On Friday morning in Las Vegas, just hours after he was being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his fight against Alexander Gustafsson, Jones was arrested. The news surprised many, due to the fact just hours before, Jones said he’s staying out of trouble and was preparing for his move to heavyweight. However, he was charged with misdemeanor battery domestic violence and felony injuring and tampering with a vehicle. For Adesanya, he says he wasn’t surprised to hear the news of “Bones” being arrested.
Israel Adesanya’s coach says Nick Diaz "should never have been in there" at UFC 266: "You can’t do that to someone"
Christopher Taylor - September 27, 2021
Israel Adesanya’s coach Eugene Bareman does not believe Nick Diaz should have been fighting in the Octagon at UFC 266. Diaz (26-10 MMA) returned from a six year hiatus this past weekend for a rematch with Robbie Lawler. The pair had first met 17 years ago at UFC 47, with the Stockton Slugger emerging victorious by way of second round knockout.
Israel Adesanya's coach says Derek Brunson not Robert Whittaker is next for the middleweight champ
Cole Shelton - September 27, 2021
Israel Adesanya vs. Derek Brunson 2 will likely be next, Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman revealed. After Brunson submitted Darren Till in September, he called for a title shot against Adesanya. However, many assumed Adesanya’s next fight would be against Whittaker, which Dana White hinted at the fight being in January or February next year.
Colby Covington and Israel Adesanya react after Jon Jones is arrested in Las Vegas
Christopher Taylor - September 24, 2021
Colby Covington and Israel Adesanya were quick to react after news broke that former UFC champion Jon Jones had been arrested in Las Vegas. Jones was in attendance for the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday night, where his 2013 battle against Alexander Gustafsson was inducted into the UFC HOF. ‘Bones’ seemed to be in good spirits at the event and even shared optimism about fighting for the UFC heavyweight title in 2022.
Israel Adesanya says 'you will never see me fight in New Zealand ever again' due to lockdown rules
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2021
Israel Adesanya has given up on his dream of headlining a UFC card in New Zealand. Adesanya called for his next title defense to happen in Auckland as he wanted to fight at home. Yet, as the country continues to lock down to the pandemic, which includes shutting down gyms like City Kickboxing and making it hard for fighters like Dan Hooker to fight, “The Last Stylebender” has no interest in fighting at home. Instead, he says the ‘bureaucrats’ can make their money elsewhere.
Dana White confirms Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for January
Adam D Martin - September 17, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker is being targeted for January. Adesanya defeated Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision back in June at UFC 263, and the hope was that the UFC would be able to get the middleweight champ back in the cage one more time before 2021 was up. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the travel and quarantine rules for fighters in Australia and New Zealand, it has become difficult for the UFC to get this fight booked. In fact, as White told The Daily Telegraph in a recent interview, he is now targeting the Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 fight to take place next year.
Derek Brunson says controlling Israel Adesanya on the ground isn't good enough, he wants to finish him
Adam D Martin - September 15, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson says controlling champ Israel Adesanya on the ground isn’t good enough, as he wants to finish him. Brunson is one of the hottest fighters in the UFC right now as the veteran middleweight has won his last five fights in a row, with his latest win, a submission victory over Darren Till, being the most impressive of the bunch. Following the big win over Till, Brunson called out Adesanya for a rematch in what would be a middleweight title bout. The last time these two fought, there was no title on the line and Adesanya knocked Brunson out in a devastating fashion. However, Brunson believes that he has made the necessary adjustments in order to defeat Adesanya and show that he can be beaten — and finished.
Luke Rockhold calls out Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman for not backing Francis Ngannou: “They should’ve just stood by him and been men”
Adam D Martin - September 14, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold called out Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman for not backing Francis Ngannou. Rockhold makes his return to the Octagon after more than two years away in November at UFC 268 when he takes on Sean Strickland. Ahead of his comeback to the cage, Rockhold has been doing the media rounds and one of his stops was Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour.
Israel Adesanya reacts after Derek Brunson defeats Darren Till at UFC Vegas 36
Chris Taylor - September 4, 2021
Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was keeping tabs on today’s UFC Vegas 36 main event between Derek Brunson and Darren Till. Brunson (23-7 MMA) and Till (18-4-1 MMA) squared off this afternoon with hopes of earning a future title shot against Adesanya (21-1 MMA).
Israel Adesanya shares his thoughts on Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley, questions one scorecard
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2021
UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on the fight between Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley. Last Sunday night, Jake Paul was able to keep his unbeaten pro boxing record going thanks to a split decision win over the aforementioned Woodley. “The Problem Child” had to face some adversity but did more than enough to get his hand raised, cementing his spot as one of the biggest draws in the sport right now.
Israel Adesanya says he will fight for the UFC light heavyweight title again: "The story’s not finished yet"
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2021
Israel Adesanya is focused on defending his middleweight title but he is open to fighting for light heavyweight gold again. At UFC 259 in March, Adesanya moved up in weight to face Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title in a try to become a champ-champ. Unfortnately, the fight did not go his way and he lost a decision for his first professional MMA loss.
Darren Till confident he will become UFC champion: "I will be beating you, Izzy, you f*****g know it"
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2021
Darren Till believes he will defeat Israel Adesanya to become the UFC middleweight champion. Till has been vocal about being a UFC champion in his career but it has yet to come to fruition so far. He did fight for UFC gold at UFC 228 but lost by submission to Tyron Woodley for the welterweight title.
Stephen Thompson shares his thoughts on a potential “awesome” matchup with Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - August 17, 2021
Stephen Thompson has said he’s open to the idea of a future match-up with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Thompson, better known to the masses as “Wonderboy”, has had his fair share of ups and downs throughout the course of his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s come within touching distance of the UFC welterweight title on multiple occasions only to fall short, and after his recent defeat to Gilbert Burns, many wonder whether or not he can ever challenge for the belt again.
Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 reportedly pushed back until 2022
Chris Taylor - August 14, 2021
The highly anticipated UFC middleweight title fight rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker has reportedly been pushed back until 2022. Dana White and company were originally looking to book Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 for the main event of UFC 268 on November 6 at Madision Square Garden in New York. However, the States new pandemic-related restrictions have forced the promotion to make a change of plans.
Paulo Costa explains why he got drunk the night before Israel Adesanya fight at UFC 253
Adam D Martin - August 13, 2021
Paulo Costa explains why he got drunk the night before his UFC middleweight title fight against champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. Costa was knocked out by Adesanya at UFC 253 in what was an uncompetitive fight from the Brazilian. Although Costa was unbeaten heading into the Adesanya fight and looking every bit the part of a legitimate title contender, he had a lackluster outing against “Stylebender” and was put to sleep for his efforts. After the fight, Costa admitted that he was drunk on wine the night before and that it played a role in his poor performance that night. Speaking to ESPN in a recent interview, Costa elaborated on what happened to him.