Israel Adesanya spoke publicly for the firs time since he lost his belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. He took his words to his YouTube channel while being interviewed by his brother, David.
One week removed from the fight he talks about his felt during the fight, training camp, post fight and talks about rematch.
“Quietly Confident” said Israel Adesanya after watching the fight back for the first time.
Israel Adesanya Thoughts After Watching the Fight Back the First Time
“The Last Style Bender” obviously wasn’t happy with the performance of the fight. He mentions how it was a bad dream feeing inside the octagon that night. Adesanya wasn’t happy watching the but had to watch. He mentions even in his lackluster victories that were “meh”, he forces himself to watch. Israel Adesanya says it wasn’t as bad as he thought. The way he felt in there was different.
“The way I felt in there was different then how it looked […] like a bad dream. You know when one of those dreams where you just like […] you try to hit the guy and noodle arms”. “Went by surprisingly fast. I didn’t know is this the last round.”
Adesanya thought that Sean Strickland would wrestle him but as we know, the fight stayed standing the whole time Sean’s style is very unorthodox, awkward and good forward pressure. However Izzy gave all the credit to Strickland and his team. They never let Adesanya get into his rhythm because of his pressure. Also credits Eric Nicksick helping his fighter from the corner, catching Izzy’s reads.
“I made another dream come true”. Referencing Strickland becoming champion.
Adesanya Round by Round
In the first round, Israel Adesanya got dropped by a 1-2. Going back into his corner, head coach, Eugene Bareman said Izzy was out of position. He agreed and also thought the 1-2 from Sean Strickland was really good timing. Israel jokingly surprised Sean was really punching him after being dropped. Even putting up a thumbs up when he got back to his feet and getting beat by Sean.
After the getting dropped, Israel momentarily felt fire and elusive, which he brought into round two. The only round won by Adesanya.
Round 3 and on, Sean was being frustrating. Israel knew he was loosing and knew he needed a finish. Like he mentioned, his arms felt like noodles. Adesanya just couldn’t get it doing.
“I wasn’t tapped in, sometimes I…lag”.
The lag continued in between rounds going back to his corner. Just wasn’t clicking with the message Eugene was trying to say. His brother asked him about his feel as he was warming up. Israel Adesanya felt good. Keeps repeating it felt like a bad dream and had no “snap”. The opponent switch may have affecting Izzy. When he thought he was fighting Dricus Du Plessis, he just wanted to murder him. When Sean had to stop in, the emotions change to less intensity and thinking Izzy would just whoop Sean.
After the fight, they had a moment. After hearing the score cards the two man came together for a little talk.
“First thing I told him is stop crying like a bitch and he laughed. Don’t bring up my family into this and Sean apologized but changed up at the press conference after a real moment in the cage”
Israel Adesanya Post Fight Showers
As we know, if you don’t, Israel Adesanya loves to reflex in the shower after his fights. “The Last Style Bender” put pressure on himself but still dissecting the fight. Already spoke to Eugene Bareman about the rematch and knows exactly what to do. Izzy like to take time to process things. Even after the second Alex Pereira fight he wants to process everything before giving an interview. He likes to go through his own emotions.
“Every time after a fight, no matter you win or lose, feels the same sense of relief. Like oh well, made it out of that one. I’m ok, healthy, wealthy. That’s the main thing from camp”
Israel is a big team player. It was still a success for the team with three of the six fighters winning. The first fight of UFC 293 started off with Kevin Jousset setting the bar for the rest of the team.
“Banger! Yeah banger. Kevin just went in there and kicked in the door and was like everyone of the ground and yeah […] it’s just him. It’s good to see how he went there and we all know how good Kevin is and calling out Ian Garry.” Israel continues saying about his other teammates. “Los [Carlos Ulberg], people don’t even know know what he went through. Through the fight and during fight week and camp. Some bad injuries he had to nurse”.
Praises instant replay that the correct decision was made after looking back and getting Ulberg first submission win.
“Tyson as well! That was perfect. That was like story book night for Tyson. Perfect villain in Mr. Pleasure Man and the way the guy was carrying on […] went in and starched him and then had the cold celebration”.
Lastly, at the end of the video Israel Adesanya had a message to his supporters.
“Those who know me and appreciate me, thank you! Thank you for sticking by me, without you guys I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. The real guys know who you are. The ones who take inspiration from my story […] patience”.
Adesanya has fought a lot of championship fights and remarks he’s a really active champion. Now that he lost to Sean Strickland, there is more time to process what he might do in the near future. As to whether we’ll see him soon compete in the cage, it’s unknown.
“We’ll see” . The Last Style Bender said with a smirk.
Quotes taken from Freestylebender YouTube channel.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
