“Hate losing but I love living” – After ditching press conference, Israel Adesanya puts out classy response following upsetting defeat against Sean Strickland

Israel Adesanya did not stay for the media interview and instead spent time with his family after defeat at UFC 293. The fight happened in the morning in Australia and not at night.

“Hate losing but I love living” – After ditching press conference, Israel Adesanya puts out classy response following upsetting defeat against Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 (Image via X/ chamtkarsandhu)

Israel Adesanya suffered defeat at UFC 293 against Sean Strickland. Interestingly, Adesanya did not stay back to give a post-fight speech. Adesanya was seen with his family in a car moments later. The former champion remained classy in his defeat.

Sean Strickland winning at UFC 293 was not at all expected. Before the fight began, a bettor bet $220,000 on Adesanya to win. That is the extent of an underdog that Strickland was. Adesanya congratulated Strickland after the fight and left the octagon after the announcement. Adesanya posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) moments later. He captioned the post, “I hate losing, but I love living. What a life”. The former champion then clarified that he had no serious injuries but some scratches on the lip and swelling under the eye.

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Sean O’Malley won the title from a dominant champion, Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. Strickland winning at UFC 293 looked similar to that. Interestingly, Holly Holm upset Ronda Rousey to win the title at UFC 193 in Australia. The middleweight title has changed hands twice in 2023. The loss meant that Israel Adesanya was 2 and 2 in his last four bouts.

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With Adesanya losing the title, the promotion will be looking to book a fight between the winner of Paolo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev as the next title challenger. Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessis may fight for a number one contender fight in early 2024. No official confirmation has been made, but it is unfair to give rematches whenever a champion loses the belt. However, the UFC might give Adesanya a rematch as soon as possible.

Related: “All Chinese lost their belts” – Pros and Fans in disbelief as Sean Strickland sons Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 to become champion against all odds

Sean Strickland issued a quick response to the media leaving Eugene Bareman to handle the media appearance

Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya (Image courtesy: YouTube)

Israel Adesanya left a quick response to the media and left Eugene Bareman to provide statements after the loss. Adesanya was later seen with his family, with whom he posted on X (formerly Twitter). The former champion acknowledged the defeat and congratulated Sean Strickland for the victory.

Eugene Bareman stepped in for Adesanya for the media interview. Coaches stepping up for fighters for media is not protocol. Nevertheless, it happened, and Bareman provided everything the champion would have given. Bareman said that Adesanya just had an off night, and the training camp was good to the best of his knowledge. The head coach also clarified that preparing for rematches is the most difficult thing to do. Bareman further added that they would want a rematch as soon as possible.

Bareman also praised Sean Strickland for countering Adesanya’s style. He praised the champion’s toughness and credited Strickland for landing the blow that put down Adesanya in the first round. Bareman also praised Strickland for being on the same level as Israel Adesanya.

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