Israel Adesanya was once a seemingly untouchable figure in the UFC’s middleweight division. Between 2019-2021, Stylebender triumphed in 5 consecutive title defences, brushing aside formidable names such as Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker to name but a few. Now, it seems, Adesanya’s once invincible aura has faded almost completely.
Israel Adesanya and His Struggles
Alex Pereira‘s arrival to the UFC brought with it a slew of questions. Most notably, many fans wanted to see the long standing kickboxing rivalry between Poatan and Stylebender continue inside the octagon. This would ultimately unfold at UFC 281. After an historic five rounds, Poatan landed a sharp left handed that rocked the New Zealand native. What followed was an onslaught from Pereira, ultimately leading to a vicious TKO victory for the Brazilian. Although Adesanya would reclaim his belt in emphatic fashion from usurper Pereira at UFC 287, many began to wonder whether cracks were beginning to show for the previously undefeated Stylebender.
It was not long before the struggles returned for Adesanya. Just five months after reclaiming the throne, Stylebender was beaten by the most unlikely of challengers; a battle ready, emotionally charged Sean Strickland. Adesanya was roundly beaten on the night, in a contest that ultimately saw a unanimous decision go the American’s way. With that, Adesanya became the first UFC fighter to lose two championship belts in the same calendar year. Stylebender has yet to return to the octagon, with many now wondering if his best days are behind him.
Vettori Scolds Stylebender
Despite being defeated by Adesanya on two occasions, no. 5 ranked middleweight Marvin Vettori has weighed in with his thoughts on the future of the former champion. Speaking in a recent interview with The Schmo, ‘The Italian Dream’ said:
“Izzy (Israel Adesanya) will lose any fight. If he comes back, he’s not going to win any fight, I will tell you this. In the top three or four, he’s not gonna win any fights. I don’t think he’s going to beat Khamzat (Chimaev), either. I don’t think so. He’s gonna get taken down, I think.”
Vettori went on to scold Adesanya further, slating his ground game as a particular weakness:
“They’re gonna tell me I’m a hater and sh*t, but it’s true – the game is evolving so fast. The grappling level is just evolving, getting higher and higher and I think he can’t hang. Taking a year off now, it’s a lot.”
It is doubtful that many would argue against Vettori as pertains to Adesanya’s chances in grappling exchanges with Khamzat Chimaev. The latter’s recent dismantling of Kamaru Usman, in which he scored 4 successful takedowns, is sure to have striken fear into most challengers; not least Stylebender.
Adesanya’s Path To Redemption
The rumour mill regarding Adesanya’s return to the octagon has already been swirling for some time. Dricus Du Plessis‘ recent ascendency to champion following victory over Sean Strickland has left fans salivating over a potential matchup between the long-standing rivals. A bout was reportedly set between the two for UFC 300, before Du Plessis admitted that more time was needed before his first defence, owing to injuries posing too much risk for the South African to surmount.
What would you like to see Israel Adesanya do next? Is Marvin Vettori right? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
