Israel Adesanya is officially looking to rebound for the second time in his MMA career.
UFC 281 did not end as anticipated for “The Last Stylebender.” Plotting his redemption in a movie-like fashion against old kickboxing successor Alex Pereira, Adesanya came up short once again dropping to 0-3 overall versus the Brazilian. Adesanya was still able to find success, but he kept picking on Pereira more than he needed. In the end, Poatan was just that equalizer, with his fists full of stones, and stopped Adesanya at round 5.
It is often instructive to see how champions react — both literally and metaphorically — to setbacks. Joe Rogan, a long-time UFC commentator believes that the former champion was graceful in his defeat.
“Dude, the way he responded to that loss is better than anybody ever,” Rogan said on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast. “The dude shows up to the press conference with a f****** fur coat like a king. Dope-ass watch on and just says, ‘He got me.’ He basically said ‘the hunter is now the hunted, I’m coming after him, I’m going to find a way to beat that dude. I was on my way to beating him, and he got me.’
“He was honest about all of it. About how Pereira landed a bunch of calf kicks early on and f***** up his leg and he couldn’t move right. These calf kicks changed the game .”
Pereira’s win in the comeback was a great moment, but it wasn’t without controversy due to the last sequence.
Pereira had Adesanya pinned against the octagon after stunning him with an initial shot to begin the flurry of punches. Marc Goddard, the referee, declared the fight over even though Adesanya did not show any intelligent defense. Adesanya immediately protested after his loss, but didn’t appear as angry as in other past cases.
Comparisons have been made to Goddard’s fight against Kelvin Gastelum since then by Adesanya. He said that he didn’t fault the veteran officer, while at the same, however, they were both clear about his intentions. From Rogan’s perspective, he saw no problem with things ending sooner rather than later.
“I don’t think Pereira was going to stop,” Rogan said. “He had more time, ‘Izzy’ was stationary and Pereira was gonna hit him with some big shots. It doesn’t matter if ‘Izzy” is lying flat on his back, his eyes closed. I think it was a good stoppage.
” I could also see why he would be so upset. It’s possible to see other fights that have gone longer, and I can also see why Marc Goddard would be upset about it. He’s top 2 or 3, he might be No. 2, I think Herb Dean’s No. 1. [****************************************************************************************************************************************************** **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************] He handled it very, very well.”
TOP STORIES
Rivals. Israel Adesanya says he’ll rematch Alex Pereira with or without the belt: ‘I’ll probably fight him 2 more times’
Heat. Jorge Masvidal fires back at ‘little b****’ Gilbert Burns: ‘I will gladly beat the living s*** out of you’
Reflection. Houston Alexander remembers last unsanctioned bare-knuckle fight, the night he was shot and almost killed
Update. Indicted in capital murder case in Alabama
Revitalized. Renato Moicano explains epic UFC 281 post-victory promo: ‘I’m just angry, and I want to f*** everybody up’
Whoops. Kiamrian Abbasov stripped of welterweight title after missing weight ahead of ONE on Prime Video 4
Goals. Olympic gold medalist David Taylor ‘considering’ potential MMA move, but 2024 games take priority
VIDEO STEW
Between The Links.
Derrick Lewis’ UFC Vegas 65 media day.
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with Jon Anik.
UFC Vegas 65 fighters top finishes.
Spivak’s top finishes.
Best UFC Fight Pass Moments in October.
Crippler.
LISTEN UP
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what’s next for Dustin Poirier after his UFC 281 win, and reacts to PFL’s pay-per-view price tag.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Chaos.
We FIGHT, We LIVE.
RIZIN. 40
2022 New Years Eve pic.twitter.com/5QMLMTfckC
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) November 17, 2022
Disaster.
Kiamrian Abbasov has lost the ONE Championship welterweight title on the scale.
He passed hydration at second attempt but was 186. 5 pounds.
He’ll have to negotiate a catchweight with Christian Lee. Only Lee would be able to win the title on Saturday.
— Nicolas Atkin (@NicoSCMP) November 17, 2022
The return.
#OnThisDay in 2012: Georges St-Pierre unified the UFC welterweight title against Carlos Condit!
Watch more on @UFCFightPass now! pic.twitter.com/FWRfRcRqSr
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 17, 2022
From foes to friends.
Hot Chocolate.
“Big things coming! “@DanHotChocolate kicks off our #UFCVegas65 main card at 9pm BST / 10pm CEST this Saturday! pic.twitter.com/9Ssl5iJjJA
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 17, 2022
The wind-up punch is always a hit.
Canelo’s most competitive fight was against a Boxing AI pic.twitter.com/4hObShooGP
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) November 17, 2022
Can’t deny it would be cool.
Alcatraz https://t.co/c9uvsLgJOA
— Barb Honchak (@BarbHonchak) November 17, 2022
But why?
This dude is still hanging around MMA… #Bellator288 pic.twitter.com/O75E0RbaAN
— Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) November 17, 2022
Perspective.
Every fighter ever knows that any insured event is your opportunity to get surgeries covered.
Event insurance is a pain in the ass though. I got my tooth knocked loose in my last fight and am still ignoring bills about it that were supposed to be covered https://t.co/PLuoOv9a6X
— Andrew Richardson (@AndyLRichardson) November 17, 2022
Too late, bud.
Wish I could take part on one of TUF tournaments something I had dream when I was younger
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) November 18, 2022
Hmm.
If Dustin Poirier is on a card you know it’s a must watch! pic.twitter.com/NqsssVm1Sg
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) November 17, 2022
Nice.
The strawweight champ is in the building for tonight’s @GoldenKnights game! pic.twitter.com/wvaC4szSIh
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) November 18, 2022
TBT.
Where does time go?
It was yesterday 15 years ago that I shared the Octagon with a true legend of the sport @bisping. It was an honor champ. pic.twitter.com/aTfzcTsEx0
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) November 18, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Manel Kape (17-6) vs. David Dvorak (20-4); UFC Vegas 66, Dec. 17
Jake Matthews (18-5) vs. Matthew Semelsberger (10-4); UFC Vegas 66, Dec. 17
Puno Soriano (9-2) vs. Roman Kopylov (9-2); UFC Vegas 67, Jan. 14
Jun Yong Park (15-5) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (11-6); UFC Seoul, Feb. 4
FINAL THOUGHTS
I guess Dominick Cruz doesn’t exist anymore.
Happy Friday, all! Have a great weekend and thanks as always for reading.
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/11/18/23464223/morning-report-joe-rogan-israel-adesanya-handled-alex-pereira-loss-better-than-anybody-ever-ufc?rand=96749
