UFC’s Dana White Calls Out Israel Adesanya Being ‘Flat and Slow’ in Strickland Loss
Izzy #Izzy
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MMA president Dana White thought Israel Adesanya was far from his best in his shocking loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 on Saturday.
“Obviously, I expected a completely different main event,” White told reporters after the show. “Whether Izzy won or Strickland won, nobody saw that coming.
“That Izzy would come in flat and slow and whatever’s going on with him, I don’t think anybody expected to see that.”
For his part, Adesanya kept his comments brief during the press conference. He said Strickland was “the better man on the night” and that “I just want to go be with people who care about me.” The now-former middleweight champion then turned things over to his coach.
When Adesanya was stopped by Alex Pereira at UFC 281 last November, it was easier to write off the outcome. The Athletic’s Greg Rosenstein wrote at the time how “Pereira was likely down three rounds to one on judges scorecards and needed a finish” before connecting with a left hook that turned the tide.
The Last Stylebender avenged the defeat with a second-round knockout of the Brazilian in April.
On this occasion, though, Strickland was clearly the strongest fighter in the main event. Per UFC.com, he not only landed more strikes (137 to 94 for c) but also did so more efficiently (53 percent to 35 percent).
Especially with his remark about having a “different plan” for the press conference, one almost wonders whether Adesanya went into Saturday night with the intention of walking away from the sport. He previously said in February how he’s “not gonna be here in five years” and intends to “leave on top.”
The 34-year-old would’ve done just that if he had taken down Strickland and rode off into the sunset.
Whatever Adesanya’s original goal entering UFC 293 was, his focus may have changed based on what unfolded in the Octagon on Saturday.
White said he would “absolutely” consider granting Adesanya a rematch straight away, and it might not take much to get the fighter on board with that idea.