“I got illegally hit” – Israel Adesanya exposes ‘CORRUPT’ boxing sport with clips from past fight following Francis Ngannou’s controversial loss

Israel Adesanya criticized boxing's business aspects, shared an old bout video, and hinted at a possible return to MMA in 2027 after headlining 11 UFC events in three years.

“I got illegally hit” – Israel Adesanya exposes ‘CORRUPT’ boxing sport with clips from past fight following Francis Ngannou’s controversial loss

Israel Adesanya claims boxing is corrupt (Image via: X/Michael Benson, IMAGO)

Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman remained alongside Francis Ngannou when “The Predator” walked out to face Tyson Fury. Ngannou gave a good account of himself losing via split decision. He also scored a knockdown in round 3 of the bout. In the aftermath of the bout, many have come forward and claimed that Ngannou was treated unfairly.

Adesanya was no different, as he took it to X to share his opinion on boxing. He uploaded a video of his fight in the boxing ring with a lengthy caption. This is what he wrote as caption:

Boxing as a sport is beautiful. Boxing as a business is corrupt as fuck! For example…March 2015, in this clip I get illegally hit and my opponent doesn’t get a point deducted. I rock him and put him on the canvas and it’s considered a slip. I throw a Superman Punch rocking him again and get warned cuz my foot was off the ground and it’s “illegal”. They must not know about David Tua’s leaping left hook ?. Anywhore, I’ve done my time in boxing as a “rookie” to the game and it felt easy for me. I decided to pursue MMA because in my heart as a kickboxer I knew some nerd in pjs made of sandpaper could beat me without throwing a single strike. Having to learn a whole new set of skills from scratch was very humbling, but it paid off in the long run ?. It was fun but  I’ll never box again, I prefer to use all my weapons in a real fight‼️
YouTube video

The bout Israel Adesanya posted was his Super 8 Boxing Tournament IV: cruiserweight semi-final against Zane Hopman. Adesanya would go on to win the bout via unanimous decision and eventually win the finals against Lance Bryant. “The Last Stylebender” competed in professional boxing for the last time against Bryant. His professional boxing career came in between his professional kickboxing career.

FS Video

Adesanya is currently on a hiatus after losing the UFC middleweight championship to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. There is no official confirmation of his return. In a recent interview, he jokingly said that his return would happen in 2027. In the past three years, Adesanya was the biggest PPV star of the UFC, as he headlined 11 events in that span.

Kamaru Usman wants to see a 12-round rematch of Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury

Kamaru Usman weighed in on Francis Ngannou’s recent loss to Tyson Fury in the immediate aftermath of the “Battle of the Baddest”. Usman praised Ngannou’s performance against arguably the best boxer ever in the heavyweight division. Moreover, he emphasized that Ngannou demonstrated his ability to compete with top-tier boxers. This is despite being out of action for a significant period.

Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman walked out with Francis Ngannou
Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman walked out with Francis Ngannou (Image via: X/MMA Fighting)

Usman felt that Ngannou was conservative in his approach and had much more to offer. He hinted at the potential of a rematch, suggesting a full 12-round bout with the title at stake. This is what Usman had to say to Oscar Willis of Maclife in the immediate aftermath of the event.

Definitely a close fight because he just point-fighting, you know. To point fighting, but no, Francis is definitely no. Why not running it back? Why not a real 12-rounder, right? A real 12-rounder for the title, running back. Let's see.
Kamaru Usman via The MacLife

Usman last appeared in action at UFC 294 against Khamzat Chimaev in the co-main event. He lost the fight via majority decision but gave a good account of himself on ten days’ notice. After the bout, UFC CEO Dana White thanked “The Nigerian Nightmare” for saving the card.

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