“I was upset at myself” – Israel Adesanya recounts him BREAKING DOWN after the Jared Cannonier win amid the immense pressure of scoring knockouts
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Israel Adesanya (L) describes the emotional scenes post his fight against Jared Cannonier
Israel Adesanya is one of the most skilled knockout artists in the UFC right now. Although it might have been two years since we last saw him flatline someone, those memories are anything but hazy.
Israel Adesanya walked out to the Undertaker’s theme at UFC 276, in an effort to signal a huge performance against Jared Cannonier – akin to his knockouts of Derek Brunson, Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. However, that was not to be, as Cannonier anticipated Adesanya’s signature striking.
Because his last few fights have come by the way of decision, MMA fans have been quick to label Adesanya a “boring fighter’’. Now, the Kiwi-Nigerian has himself come forward, and given a deep dive into fighter psychology, in response to the high expectations set for him.
He said, “I was upset at myself for what I wanted to do. I get there and I’m a little bit frustrated during the fight trying to figure out how to take this guy. I’ve said it many times, his corner, wow, MMA Lab, beautiful, because they saved him. They would see things I was setting up and call it and I’m just like, ‘F***, okay, they can see that coming.”
He revealed further just how much the decision victory affected him. He said, “I cried backstage. Me and Eugene [Bareman] hugged it out and he told me, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.’ So for me, it’s the expectations I put on myself, that’s what.“
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Israel Adesanya has a chance to shut the naysayers up once and for all
Comments like these serve as a reality check for fans, who can be quite brutal in their assessment of a fighter’s capability and performance. Adesanya was called boring, but analysing from his own words, it seems like he was not quite able to create the right opening for himself. Truth be told, many fighters choose to fight defensively against the Kiwi-Nigerian, fearing his counter-striking prowess.
However, his next opponent Alex Pereira will likely push him on the feet from the get-go. Outside of Jan Blachowicz, Israel Adesanya has only been defeated by Alex Pereira, albeit, in kickboxing. However, the nature of his defeats against Pereira was more devastating.
The two fought twice in kickboxing – Pereira ran out the winner in the first outing via decision, but the second one was a different story altogether. In the second rendition, Alex Pereira flatlined Israel Adesanya to win in comprehensive fashion.
Going into UFC 281, fans have never been more excited to see an Israel Adesanya fight – finally, he has an opponent who will match him in every facet of the game.However, if Israel Adesanya is able to exact vengeance, his critics would surely have a shortage of fodder to feed on.
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