Israel Adesanya Hints at Anthony Joshua ‘Carrying’ Jake Paul to Extend Netflix Fight

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya talks about Anthony Joshua extending the Jake Paul fight before the sixth round knockout.

Israel Adesanya Hints at Anthony Joshua ‘Carrying’ Jake Paul to Extend Netflix Fight

Israel Adesanya weighs in on Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul (via ESPN)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul fight at the Kaseya Center in Miami highlighted the gap between a professional heavyweight and a younger, less experienced fighter. Joshua entered with multiple world titles and Olympic experience. Paul, who moved from social media to boxing, faced a steep challenge. The fight showed clear differences in timing and power, drawing attention from experts like Israel Adesanya.

Joshua secured a sixth-round knockout, landing a straight right that sent Paul crashing to the canvas and fractured his jaw in two places. The stoppage marked the first knockout loss of Paul’s professional career. Both fighters earned roughly $92 million each from the purse split. The combination of athletic and financial stakes made this one of the most high-profile crossover boxing events in recent years.

Before the fight, Joshua promised not to hold back and was expected to finish Paul quickly. In the early rounds, he kept his distance and conserved energy while observing his opponent. Paul extended the bout into later rounds, testing Joshua’s adaptability and patience. Adesanya later noted that Joshua’s measured pacing emphasized strategy over brute force, shaping the fight’s overall flow.

I feel like AJ carried Jake Paul to the sixth round. I know what my eyes see, and I understand fighting, I know what my eyes were seeing in the early rounds. AJ lands better than this. Like, I know what my eyes are seeing, so I can’t let my brain deceive me. I know what I’m seeing. I’ve seen shots that should have gone to the head go to the body. They made money. Everyone is happy. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Israel Adesanya via YouTube

Adesanya’s observations gained weight because other elite fighters had questioned the fight’s credibility. Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder doubted the bout due to the size and experience gap. Critics debated whether crossover matches could remain competitive. The discussion highlighted the scrutiny elite athletes face in high-profile events.

Adesanya maintains close relationships with both Paul and Joshua, giving him a unique perspective on the fight. He has supported Paul since the start of his boxing career and stayed connected with Joshua through their shared Nigerian heritage. This dual familiarity allowed him to assess both fighters’ skills without bias. His viewpoint added credibility to the analysis of the bout’s pacing and tactics.

Israel Adesanya’s insight carries extra weight because he has faced heavier opponents. He moved up to light heavyweight and suffered his first professional MMA loss to Polish star Jan Blachowicz. These experiences gave him perspective on how to handle size and power differences in combat sports. Anthony Joshua’s victory confirmed the gap between elite heavyweights and crossover boxers.

Israel Adesanya commends Anderson Silva’s performance against Tyron Woodley

Israel Adesanya has consistently shown admiration for Anderson Silva throughout his UFC career. He has given Silva respect on multiple occasions across interviews and public appearances. Adesanya has repeatedly credited Silva as a significant influence on his striking style. He has also stated that facing Silva at UFC 234 was a defining and honorable moment in his career.

Israel Adesanya praises Anderson Silva's performance against Tyron Woodley
Israel Adesanya praises Anderson Silva’s performance against Tyron Woodley (via Sports Illustrated)

Silva recently returned to professional boxing after his tenure in the UFC. He faced fellow former UFC champion Tyron Woodley on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua. The ‘Spider’ secured a knockout victory, continuing his success in crossover boxing. The performance sparked renewed discussion about Silva’s longevity and Adesanya’s reaction to his former opponent and idol.

He is still doing well for himself, Anderson’s still Anderson, man. He’s growing, he’s never gonna stop.

Israel Adesanya via YouTube

Adesanya has long viewed Silva as his idol within combat sports. Their shared history inside the UFC added significance to Silva’s continued success outside MMA. Adesanya’s respect has remained consistent even after facing the Brazilian legend competitively. The moment reinforced Silva’s lasting influence on the ‘Stylebender’ and his journey as a champion.

Also Read: