Matt Brown Supports Israel Adesanya’s Rematch, but Advocates for Some Rest First

Israel Adesanya faced a tough loss at UFC 293, where he lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland in a five-round battle. Although Adesanya didn’t get knocked out, he struggled throughout the fight, prompting UFC president Dana White to call for an immediate rematch. While opinions on this vary, one voice in support of the rematch is Matt Brown. However, Brown’s endorsement isn’t solely based on Adesanya’s performance that night.

In a recent episode of “The Fighter vs. The Writer,” Brown explained his stance. “I think he needs some time off first,” Brown began, highlighting Adesanya’s incredible activity as a champion. Adesanya has faced a relentless schedule, taking on every contender in his path. It’s not just his performance against Strickland that matters to Brown but also his remarkable achievements leading up to it.

Adesanya’s record as a champion speaks for itself. He’s participated in 11 UFC title fights, winning 8 of them. The only losses came at light heavyweight and, notably, against Alex Pereira, which he later avenged to regain his middleweight title in April. Unlike the Pereira fight, where Adesanya faced a late comeback knockout, this time Strickland secured a convincing decision victory.

Brown argues that Adesanya’s exceptional career and accomplishments should grant him the privilege of immediate title rematches after losses. However, he emphasizes that before jumping into another title bout, Adesanya should take some well-deserved time off.

“I think he needs to take time off,” Brown said. “Whether Strickland takes on another opponent in the meantime, assuming that Izzy takes my advice – and who am I to tell him – but assuming he does take time off and Strickland wants somebody in the meantime, I think that’s totally fair. But I think based on Izzy’s record and what he’s done throughout his career, he should be able to fight for the title any time he wants.”

Adesanya’s rigorous schedule included competing in four title fights in just over a year, a challenge for any fighter. Brown acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining such a busy schedule, especially as a champion. He hopes Adesanya understands the need to pause and recuperate, highlighting the immense stress that comes with being a champion.

“The stress of being a champion is absolutely nothing we can even comprehend,” Brown noted. “Between the media responsibilities and the people around you, your schedule, you’re fighting the best guy in the world every single time, and that’s enough right there in and of itself, not even minding the outside stuff you’ve got to deal with.”

Brown also credits Strickland for his exceptional performance in defeating Adesanya and advises the former champ to take a break, focus on mental health, and rekindle his hunger for victory.

“I say Izzy take a break, rest up, get mentally healthy, get hungry again,” Brown said. “Because yet again, I’m giving credit to Strickland because I think he took everything away from Izzy in that fight, but if it was simply Izzy not being himself, which is possible too, the first thing we’re going to look to is he’s had too much of a tough schedule. He was just burned out and was like, ‘I don’t really feel like fighting tonight.’ He looked like he was sparring in there.”

In conclusion, Matt Brown supports Israel Adesanya’s right to an immediate rematch but strongly advises him to take a break and recover both physically and mentally before pursuing another title fight. Rest and revitalization, Brown suggests, can reignite the spark in Adesanya’s career and set the stage for a compelling rematch.

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More about Rematch Rest Advice

• [Israel Adesanya loses middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293](Link to relevant news article)
• [Dana White’s call for Israel Adesanya’s rematch](Link to Dana White’s statement)
• [Matt Brown’s perspective on Israel Adesanya’s rematch](Link to Matt Brown’s interview)
• [Israel Adesanya’s career achievements as a champion](Link to Adesanya’s UFC record)
• [Advice from Matt Brown to Israel Adesanya](Link to Matt Brown’s advice)
• [Sean Strickland’s performance against Adesanya](Link to Strickland’s fight analysis)
• [“The Fighter vs. The Writer” podcast](Link to the podcast platform)