Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman Eyes A Showdown With Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya scored a seventeenth straight win on (April 13, 2019) to remain undefeated in his professional fighting career after defeating Kelvin Gastelum in an epic five-round war at UFC 236 and took home an interim title. After the victory, Adesanya already has a goal in his mind.
As for what’s next for Adesanya, he’s reportedly in line to challenge 185-pound champion Robert Whittaker in a title unification bout later this year.
Fan favorite and former UFC champ Chris Weidman is one of the fighters who has set his sights on Adesanya. Speaking on a recent episode of Ariel Helwani MMA Show, Weidman who previously trash talked about ‘Last Stylebender’ said he wasn’t throwing shade at him.
“Listen people were going nuts on Israel Adesanya, he’s a very talented guy. He’s got great standup, and now I know he’s super tough after his last fight. But before he fought Anderson Silva, he fought Derek Brunson. He fought Silva who is 44, who’s known as a standup guy, which was the perfect matchup for him and it was a very close-up fight. It’s either you give lots of props to Anderson Silva, or you know I don’t know. But I think at that point, people were saying how he is the next big thing. He (Adesanya) hasn’t been able to prove himself yet. He hasn’t gone against any top wrestler, or he hasn’t fought top five guys. That’s it.”
“I am a fan of this guy. I like watching him fight. I would love to fight him, and I think I am a nightmare matchup for him if you look at a paper. Just based on paper, you know my wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, and my size I think I would be a real problem for him.”
Weidman previously called Adesanya overrated but after seeing a recent performance of Nigerian born kiwi against Kelvin Gastelum, a former champ said ‘Last Stylebender’ is a great fighter and I was just putting out the real facts.
“I have nothing, but you know i think the guy is awesome. I am not trying to put him down, I was just realistic in the situation that was it.”
Many were impressed by ‘Last Stylebender’s” performance including UFC head honcho Dana White. Now Weidman also praises Adesanya and said UFC 236 co-main event for one of the best fights he has ever seen.
“I was extremely impressed. I thought Adesanya was the tougher matchup for Kelvin then Whittaker was.”
Weidman has had a good run as of lately gone 1-4 in his last five outings. Most recently he underwent neck surgery.
Do you agree with Weidman that he’ll be a nightmare matchup for Adesanya if ever throwdown inside the Octagon?
