In a surprising turn of events at UFC 293, Israel Adesanya faced a stunning loss at the hands of Sean Strickland, a defeat that left the sports world in shock. The two-time UFC middleweight champion recently broke his silence, offering insights into his thoughts and emotions surrounding this unexpected setback in an interview on his YouTube channel, alongside his brother David Adesanya.
When asked about his feelings after the fight, Adesanya responded with a sense of quiet confidence, stating, “Quietly confident, and that’s after watching the fight. I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I see.’” This calm demeanor contrasts sharply with the fiery reputation he had leading up to the match.
On September 10th, Adesanya, 34, suffered a unanimous decision loss to Strickland, a result that defied expectations. Adesanya was the overwhelming favorite to secure his ninth championship victory in the UFC. However, it was Strickland who took center stage, outclassing and outworking Adesanya in an all-standup encounter. Strickland’s dominant performance included a first-round knockdown and an audacious taunt to Adesanya.
Adesanya described his experience in the Octagon as akin to a “bad dream,” emphasizing that it wasn’t a nightmare born out of fear but rather a surreal feeling of powerlessness. He mentioned that the feeling he had while watching the fight was entirely different. It’s evident that he remains optimistic and confident, even after the loss.
Reflecting on the bout, Adesanya admitted that it felt as though the fight passed by “surprisingly fast.” Despite recovering quickly from the knockdown, he couldn’t find his rhythm due to Strickland’s relentless pressure and pace. He mentioned Strickland’s unique and unorthodox guard, which made it difficult for him to utilize his signature jab effectively.
Adesanya also acknowledged that he didn’t carry the same intensity into the fight against Strickland as he had for his originally scheduled match against Dricus du Plessis. He candidly admitted that he “just didn’t have that venom” for Strickland. However, he still believed he was at the peak of his abilities until he stepped into the cage.
When questioned about his future in the UFC, Adesanya kept it simple: “We’ll see.” He made it clear that this loss is just a chapter in his story, not the end. His goal now is to become a three-time UFC middleweight champion. Remarkably, he doesn’t care who holds the belt when he gets his next title shot, emphasizing that the belt, while important, is just a “fancy tiara” to him.
With a determination to recapture his title and a “just for fun” attitude, Adesanya seems poised to bounce back from this setback and continue his journey as one of the most formidable fighters in the UFC. His fans and the world of mixed martial arts will be eagerly awaiting his return to the Octagon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel Adesanya UFC 293 loss
Q: What happened in Israel Adesanya’s fight at UFC 293?
A: Israel Adesanya faced Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and suffered a surprising loss. Strickland outclassed Adesanya in an all-standup fight, winning by unanimous decision. Adesanya was expected to win, but Strickland’s dominant performance left the sports world in shock.
Q: How did Israel Adesanya feel about his loss?
A: Adesanya described his feelings about the loss as similar to a “bad dream.” He clarified that it wasn’t a nightmare born out of fear but rather a surreal feeling of powerlessness. Despite the loss, he expressed quiet confidence and remained optimistic.
Q: What challenges did Israel Adesanya face during the fight?
A: Adesanya struggled to find his rhythm in the fight due to Strickland’s relentless pressure and unique guard. He mentioned that he couldn’t utilize his jab effectively, which is one of his signature moves.
Q: What are Israel Adesanya’s future plans in the UFC?
A: Adesanya’s goal is to become a three-time UFC middleweight champion. He emphasized that the loss is just a chapter in his story and doesn’t deter him from his ambitions. He also stated that he doesn’t care who holds the belt when he gets his next title shot.
Q: How did Israel Adesanya’s attitude change leading up to the fight?
A: Adesanya admitted that he didn’t have the same intensity and “venom” for Sean Strickland as he did for his originally scheduled opponent, Dricus du Plessis. However, he believed he was in peak condition until he entered the cage.
Q: What did Israel Adesanya say about the significance of the UFC championship belt?
A: Adesanya downplayed the significance of the UFC championship belt, referring to it as a “fancy tiara.” He mentioned that while it matters, his focus is on enjoying the journey and potentially becoming a three-time champion for the fun of it.
More about Israel Adesanya UFC 293 loss
- Israel Adesanya’s Loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 (MMAMania)
- Israel Adesanya’s YouTube Channel (YouTube)
- Sean Strickland’s Dominant Performance (MMA Fighting)
- Israel Adesanya’s Future Goals (Sporting News)
1 comment
Adesanya’s attitude switch is interesting, wonder how it affected his perfomance.