The middleweight division of the UFC has seen its fair share of excitement in 2023.
At the end of 2022, there was a surprising upset when Brazil’s Alex Pereira knocked out his long-standing kickboxing rival, Israel Adesanya, to claim the title. Adesanya sought revenge in April at UFC 287 and successfully achieved it with a brutal second-round knockout of his opponent, sending him to the light heavyweight division.
Meanwhile, contenders in the middleweight division have been vying for their chances at the title. One fighter who made the most of his opportunities is South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis. In March, he defeated perennial top 10 fighter Derek Brunson with strikes, extending his winning streak to five in the UFC and seven overall. Many believed that Du Plessis had done enough to earn a title shot, especially considering Adesanya’s interest in facing him. However, Du Plessis faced another significant challenge in the form of former champion Robert Whittaker.
In a shocking turn of events, Du Plessis managed to secure a TKO victory over Whittaker in the second round at UFC 290, solidifying his position as a title contender. During Du Plessis’ post-fight interview, Adesanya entered the octagon, and the two fighters had their first staredown and exchanged words. Adesanya used offensive language and made references to their respective backgrounds, leaving many in the community uncertain about the situation. Former title challenger and top-ranked contender Chael Sonnen interpreted the interaction as a sign of Adesanya’s mindset as a champion.
Sonnen expressed his thoughts on his YouTube channel, stating that Adesanya had “lost his mind” during the confrontation with Du Plessis. According to Sonnen, the incident was genuine and not motivated by money or fame. Adesanya targeted an up-and-coming fighter who did not have a lucrative contract, worldwide recognition, or the potential to become an industry icon. Sonnen pointed out that Adesanya had picked on someone smaller and uncontrollable, suggesting a lack of discipline. Sonnen praised Adesanya for his extreme focus on competition, describing him as someone who has unparalleled control over his career.
Since reclaiming the middleweight title, Adesanya has expressed his desire for a fight against Du Plessis instead of a trilogy bout with Whittaker, whom he has already defeated twice. The highly anticipated matchup between Adesanya and Du Plessis is likely to take place at UFC 293 on September 10 in Sydney, Australia. However, UFC President Dana White has not confirmed the exact date for the title fight.
Sonnen acknowledged that other big stars like the Diaz brothers, Conor McGregor, and Jon Jones have also had significant influence in their positions, but he believes that Adesanya’s control over his career surpasses them all. Sonnen mentioned how Adesanya had called for a fight against Du Plessis a long time ago, even when there were other contenders ranked higher. This aligns with Adesanya’s competitive nature, always seeking challenging opponents instead of taking the easy path.
In summary, the article discusses Chael Sonnen’s criticism of Israel Adesanya’s behavior during his interaction with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290. Sonnen believes that Adesanya’s actions indicate his intense drive as a champion, highlighting his focus on competition and his unparalleled control over his career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Chael Sonnen criticizes Israel Adesanya’s behavior towards Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290, questioning the champion’s mindset and control over his career. Israel Adesanya, behavior, criticism
What is Chael Sonnen’s criticism towards Israel Adesanya in relation to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290?
Chael Sonnen criticizes Israel Adesanya’s behavior towards Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290, questioning the champion’s mindset and control over his career. Sonnen believes that Adesanya’s actions indicate a lack of discipline and suggests that he lost his composure when faced with an up-and-coming fighter. Sonnen praises Adesanya’s focus on competition but also expresses concerns about his behavior and actions during the interaction.
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3 comments
Adesanya needs to keep his cool, man. Sonnen is right, he shouldn’t be picking on the little guys. But hey, that fight with Du Plessis is gonna be epic! Can’t wait to see if Adesanya can back up his talk.
man chael sonnen knows his stuff he’s always gots sumthin to say! i agree adesanya lost it there with du plessis i mean who does that?! total lack of control u know?!
This article really breaks down the drama between Adesanya and Du Plessis at UFC 290. Sonnen’s take on Adesanya’s behavior is spot on, and it’s interesting to see how Adesanya’s mindset as a champion is being questioned. Can’t wait to see the title fight between these two!