“Strickland broke this man” – Israel Adesanya practicing ‘Philly Shell’ goes VIRAL as fighter looks to bounce back from loss
The "Philly Shell" happens to be a non-standard defensive style that redefines the crouch-and-roll technique; Sean Strickland overtly uses it in UFC.
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Israel Adesanya goes viral for mimicking Sean Strickland's famed "Philly Shell" (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)
Before UFC 300’s current light heavyweight headlining bout sent fans sulking, there was but a glimmer of hope. It came in the form of former champ, Israel Adesanya who has dropped numerous teases of a return recently. Michael Chiesa had even hinted at a UFC 300 main event brawl between him and current champion, Dricus Du Plessis. That is, after the latter’s win against Sean Strickland. While those did not take shape, Adesanya’s return still holds much gravitas.
Israel Adesanya has 75 wins and 5 losses in kickboxing, and 5 wins and 1 loss in boxing. He went on a self-imposed hiatus after his title skid to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. However, speaking to Combat TV, head coach, Eugene Bareman recently nudged that ‘The Last Stylebender‘ has finished his little hiatus. And that he is training in full swing for his return.
Attending the Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury Riyadh Season opening ceremony, he revealed a 4-year hiatus, until 2027. This was during a public altercation and acknowledgment by Roberto Duran, in conversation with The MacLife. However, fight fans have remained angsty on his return. New footage (by @TruthfulUfcFan) shows him practicing the “Philly Shell” guard stance; one that Sean Strickland boasts.
A prime reaction on X retorted – “Strickland broke this man.” A few others have accordingly gibed at this being a coping mechanism, with Adesanya learning his opponent’s moves. As such, the matter had garnered a handful of interesting reactions.
Fight fans react to Israel Adesanya’s new boxing training footage
Israel Adesanya lost his title gold to former champion, Sean Strickland. In the lead-up to that they have had quite a fiery banter going on. While they have maintained some sense of amiability ever since the duo does not fail to attempt to troll each other on social media. Case in point – he trolled Sean Strickland’s ‘zero title defense’ short-lived championship reign recently.
On a sabbatical since UFC 293, Adesanya’s training footage and boxing techniques stirred up fan interest very recently. Even the fighter himself hinting at a UFC 300 bounceback had the MMA world in a frenzy.
However, here’s how fans have reacted to him practicing the “Philly Shell” during a training session –
Fans are concurrently split on the matter. During UFC 297 ‘Embedded,’ Vlog Series, in collaboration with MMA personality Nina-Marie Daniele, Strickland once talked in length about his “Philly Shell” stance. The fighter is famed for this boxing move, which matches his unfiltered but short outbursts after switches in his stance.
Hence, Israel Adesanya practicing the same has riled up fans; on the lines of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” A handful have sneered at him for losing out badly to ‘Tarzan’ and resorting to learning his move. Others have, however, commended him on the matter. All in all, such reactions only speak volumes as to the anticipation of Adesanya’s return.
In case you missed it:
- “Juiced and beefy” – Post-USADA version of Israel Adesanya during hiatus sparks doubts of ‘juicing’ from fans
- Israel Adesanya Net Worth 2024: how rich is the UFC Superstar?
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