- Israel Adesanya talked about his feud with Dricus du Plessis
- Izzy shared his real thoughts on his rivalry with Alex Pereira
- “The Last Stylebender” is interested in facing Khamzat Chimaev
Israel Adesanya commented on his ongoing rivalry with Alex Pereira and Dricus du Plessis, while also revealing his plan to face Khamzat Chimaev.
Izzy calls Dricus a fan
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, “The Last Stylebender” got brutally honest about his thoughts on reigning middleweight champion and proud African Du Plessis. For Izzy, “Stillknocks” admired what he Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou built in the UFC as African champs and has become a “fan” in the process.
“I think he’s actually a fan… I paved the way for him,” Adesanya said of Du Plessis. “Without me, one of the great African champions, he wouldn’t be here. He’s the fourth African champion in this game. Kudos to him, but we paved the way for him. He’s a fan of what we’ve done.”
"I paved the way for him. Without me, one of the great African champions, he wouldn’t be here. He’s the fourth African champion in this game.”
Israel Adesanya says Dricus du Plessi is a "fan" of his 👀
▶️ https://t.co/sjcdpUvdVU #TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/we4ajC5Lod
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 12, 2024
Done with Alex
Adesanya is currently 1-1 with Pereira in MMA. However, people still buzz about his previous two losses to “Poatan” in kickboxing.
As per Izzy, only Pereira’s fans still want to see them fight again but he know he already proved to everybody and himself that he could take the Brazilian out regardless of what happened in the past.
“That’s always there, but watch this. If I beat Alex next, knock him the f**k out, again, what are they gonna say? ‘Okay, now it’s 3-2. Let’s best out of seven.’ Who am I fighting for? It wasn’t about fighting for anyone. It was for me. I always fought this guy, I knew I could beat this guy. I just wanted to prove it to myself that I can beat him. And I beat him in the best way possible, on the biggest stage,” Adesanya explained.
Israel Adesanya explains why he won't fight Alex Pereira again:
"If I beat Alex next, knock him the f*** out, what are they gonna say? 'Okay now its 3-2'.
You know why they're asking for the fight? Because they need it… I don't need it. All the Poatards out there… they know… pic.twitter.com/cBYMjGZM7a
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 13, 2024
“You know why they’re asking for the fight? Because they need it. You know why I don’t ask for the fight? Cause I don’t need it. In their hearts, all the Poatards out there, in their hearts they know who’s laughing best. That’s why I sit pretty and I’m enjoying myself. I did what I did, that saga is over. It’s coold. I’ve got some other beef to avenge,” he added.
Borz sounds interesting
Adesanya has yet to fight again since losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. When he makes his return, “The Last Stylebender” said he fins Chimaev interesting but only if he beats Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi.
Izzy also pointed out that a rematch with “Tarzan” and a grudge match with Du Plessis is definitely in his plans.
“If Khamzat [Chimaev] beats Rob [Whittaker], I want to test that,” Adesanya said. “I’m gonna get Strickland again,” Adesanya added. “Definitely gonna get him again. That’s pretty much two of the names I can think of,… Dricus, oh yeah! That’s given.”
“If Khamzat [Chimaev] beats Rob [Whittaker], I want to test that.”
Israel Adesanya says there aren't many names left he wants to fight.
▶️ https://t.co/sjcdpUvdVU #TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/hqqSzsJzqY
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 12, 2024
Adesanya decided to take a break from fighting to focus on himself. As it stands, it appears that he is now slowly getting back on track and it could be a matter of time until he makes his UFC return.
