Israel Adesanya News

Susan Cox - December 1, 2021

A highly anticipated rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker is apparently in jeopardy for UFC 271. Adesanya (21-1 MMA) and Whittaker (23-5 MMA) had originally squared off for the promotions undisputed middleweight title in October of 2019, with ‘Stylebender’ emerging victorious by way of a second round knockout.

Adam D Martin - November 29, 2021

New UFC middleweight fighter Alex Pereira is “three fights” away from fighting Israel Adesanya for the championship, says Glover Teixeira. Pereira is a former GLORY kickboxing star who made his UFC debut earlier this month at UFC 268 in spectacular fashion when he knocked out Andreas Michailidis with a flying knee. Considering Pereira holds a previous KO win over Adesanya in kickboxing, his teammate Teixeira believes that win will help him fast-track up the 185lbs ladder and get closer to a title shot against the champ. As far as Teixeira goes, it’s possible that we could see Pereira fight for the UFC middleweight title in just three fights if he continues to look in sharp form.

Harry Kettle - November 9, 2021

Henry Cejudo has urged Kamaru Usman to put his friendship with Israel Adesanya aside and fight him at middleweight. At UFC 268, Kamaru Usman seemingly put an end to his rivalry with Colby Covington by beating “Chaos” for the second time. In early 2022, Israel Adesanya will attempt to successfully defend his UFC middleweight crown once again when he goes up against rival Robert Whittaker.

Christopher Taylor - November 8, 2021

Israel Adesanya tuned in to watch his former kickboxing opponent Alex Pereira make his Octagon debut Saturday night at UFC 268. Pereira (4-1 MMA), a former Glory Kickboxing champion, made his highly anticipated UFC debut last weekend at MSG against Andreas Michailidis.

Adam D Martin - November 4, 2021

Alex Pereira is focused on becoming UFC champion, not Israel Adesanya, saying “maybe if I had lost to him it would annoy me a little bit.” Pereira is a former GLORY kickboxing standout who will be making his UFC debut this Saturday when he takes on Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. In his kickboxing past, Pereira actually defeated Adesanya, the current UFC middleweight champion. Although Pereira is fighting against Michailidis this weekend, he can’t help but think ahead to a potential fight with Adesanya, especially when asked by the media. But Pereira also wants to make it perfectly clear that his focus is 100 percent on becoming the UFC champ, not Adesanya.

Adam D Martin - November 1, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev trolled UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after beating Dan Hooker at UFC 267. Makhachev absolutely smashed Hooker in their lightweight bout that took place at last Saturday’s UFC 267 card. The Russian took Hooker down immediately in the first round and began to go to work with his submissions, and soon afterward he was able to lock up the kimura and force Hooker to tap out. It was an absolutely phenomenal victory by Makhachev, who proved without a doubt that he is one of the top-five fighters in the UFC lightweight division. It was also the type of victory that gave Makhachev a lot more confidence in himself, and now he is taking shots at Hooker’s teammate in Adesanya.

Christopher Taylor - October 29, 2021

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has requested to be removed from the promotions “silly” rankings list. Jones (26-1 MMA) has not competed since UFC 247 in February of 2020, where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Dominick Reyes. Shortly following that win, ‘Bones’ announced his intentions of moving up to heavyweight and relinquished his 205lbs title.

Christopher Taylor - October 25, 2021

Israel Adesanya clearly tuned in to watch his former opponents Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori square off at last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 41 event. The former middleweight title challengers, Costa and Vettori, were originally supposed to collide at their natural fighting weight of 185lbs. However, earlier in the fight week ‘The Eraser’ revealed he would not be able to make weight for the contest and thus the bout was moved to light heavyweight.

Harry Kettle - October 20, 2021

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has revealed that he sent a DM to rival Paulo Costa after their battle at UFC 253. While he may have had a blip up at light heavyweight, there’s nobody better than Israel Adesanya at 185 pounds – or at least, that’s how it seems. In his second bout of 2020 he went toe to toe with long-time foe Paulo Costa and in one of the most dominant displays of the year, he successfully retained his belt against the Brazilian.

Cole Shelton - October 18, 2021

Israel Adesanya knows quite a bit about the UFC Vegas 41 main event on Saturday. Headlining the card is a middleweight fight between Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori. Both men are coming off title fight losses to Adesanya and Vettori has lost twice to the champ. Although Adesanya beat both of them, he still says people need to know both Costa and Vettori have failed drug tests in their past.

Adam D Martin - October 17, 2021

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya mocked Marvin Vettori following the criticism of his performance and win at UFC 263. Vettori recently had some choice words to say about the champ, suggesting that he isn’t actually that much of a better fighter, only that he fought a “smart” fight at UFC 263. Of course, this was the second time that Adesanya has defeated Vettori. The two previously met in 2018 with Adesanya winning a split decision. After Vettori went on a roll, the rematch took place this year, only Adesanya proved he’s the better man with another win.

Adam D Martin - October 11, 2021

Derek Brunson explains how he underestimated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya the first time they fought inside the Octagon. Brunson is coming off of five straight wins in the UFC middleweight division, and his next test is a matchup against Jared Cannonier in early 2022. It’s expected that the winner of that fight will take on the winner of Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 for the 185lbs belt. If Brunson does get by Cannonier and fight Adesanya again, it would be a rematch for him. The first time he fought Adesanya, Brunson was knocked out at UFC 230 back in 2018.

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.

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.

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.

Adam D Martin - September 28, 2021

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya went crazy during the Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega featherweight title fight at UFC 266. Adesanya was clearly very impressed by what he saw between Volkanovski and Ortega at UFC 266. The UFC middleweight champ freaked out during the fight and he even took a video of his reaction for the fans to watch. Take a look at Adesanya’s reaction below.

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.

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.