With the benefit of hindsight, Israel Adesanya is still pleased with his most recent title defense.

Earlier this month, Adesanya defended his middleweight title against Jared Cannonier in the main event of UFC 276, winning a clear unanimous decision. Adesanya won his fifth title defense but was criticized by fans around the globe for not being more cautious. Although Adesanya acknowledged having an “off night”, “The Last Stylebender” seems to have been comfortable performing.

” I rewatched the fight two days later and only watched one. That’s it for now. “I was happy with the performance,” Adesanya stated on his YouTube channel .. Although I wasn’t thrilled about it, I was content with the result. It wasn’t what people were trying to make it out to be…

“I didn’t really take my foot off the gas too much. The only time I wasn’t able to was when he held me against the fence. When I was ready, I made my own decisions and continued fighting until I got away. Because I knew he was tired of holding me and I could feel his grip on me holding me tight, I would normally keep my hands on him. When he weakened, I got away and put pressure on him straight away, trying to create openings. But, I was unable to make the openings I required at that time. But yeah, these things happen.”

One of Adesanya’s biggest critics was his lofty expectations. Adesanya faced the same criticisms in his previous fights. Before facing Cannonier, Adesanya put that down to boredom, since both of their rematches were boring. For this one, Adesanya said the prospect of “fresh blood” excited him and would result in a spectacular performance, but he fell short of that mark. Adesanya claims that while he is far from being the only one who fails to deliver, it’s not his fault. He’s the one who’s attracting the most attention because he has the upper hand.

“You can go down the fight card and there are people saying what they’re going to do in the fight, not just myself, other athletes,” Adesanya said. Max Holloway was the one who said “I will be amazed if this lasts more than three rounds” but he didn’t finish his job. You don’t kick men when they’re down. He’s only up when you kick him.

“We all believe in what we’re going to do. Max and everyone else believe in what they’re going to do. It’s not hard for me to know exactly what I can and should have done. I tried to give it to Max, but it didn’t work out the way that I expected. But again, I’m the one getting flak. There was no bit in that fight where I took my foot off the gas in the sense that I’m coasting. It wasn’t like I was coasting. I was like, I’m going to keep touching him until he falls. I didn’t want to overcommit, because I knew he was going to counter me or I knew I’d leave myself in a vulnerable position, and that’s stupid. But I was right there in his face.”

That unwillingness to take on more risk appears to be at the heart of the criticisms Adesanya now faces, but the truth is that winning is more important than putting on fan-friendly fights, and few have done it better in history than Adesanya. Adesanya’s five title defense victories make her a rarity among UFC champions. Many of the greatest fighters of UFC history faced the same criticisms.

“It is where I want it to be’ Adesanya replied when asked about being in the same position as Anderson Silva or Georges St-Pierre. “Look at how we speak of them now. Right now, I am in it. It’s impossible to see the forest from the trees. This is a thing that happens a lot. It’s not easy to see the forest from the trees, so people throw their toys and shake their rattles. But, as you move down the line, after all the work is done, we will see who the man was. Eugene [Bareman] said it the best, these spectacular knockouts will come. These marvelous finishes will come, but right now it’s about playing the game, and I played the game very well. I hit the guy and didn’t get hit much. I feel we’re doing just what we need to do.”

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TOP STORIES

Results. Rafael Fiziev knocks out Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Vegas 58.

Next. Rafael Fiziev challenge Justin Gaethje: “We have to know who is the best.”

Loss. Rafael dos Anjos reacts to stoppage vs. Rafael Fiziev, uncertain what’s next after UFC Vegas 58.

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VIDEO STEW

UFC Vegas 58 Post Show.

UFC Vegas 58 Post Fight Press Conference.

Paddy Pimblett at Silverstone.

Meatball Molly McCann sparring ahead of UFC London.

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LISTEN UP

On to the Next One. Matches to make following UFC Vegas 58.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

RDA.

Fiziev.

Jared Vanderaa reacts to getting knocked out.

This photo shows a lot of drips.

Jiri prochazka summons Glover Teixeira to the rematch.

Tony Ferguson keeping the dream alive.

Israel Adesanya still ribbing Paulo Costa.

Sage Northcutt and Shinya Aoki.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bill Algeo (15-6) vs. Herbert Burns (11-3); UFC Long Island, July 16.

Ozzy Diaz (7-1) vs. Joseph Pyfer (8-2); Contender Series, July 26.

Farid Basharat (8-0) vs. Willian Souza (11-1); Contender Series, July 26.

Anton Turkalj (7-0) vs. Acacio dos Santos (14-4); Contender Series, July 26.

Dennis Buzukja (7-2) vs. Kaleio Romero (6-1); Contender Series, July 26.

Alessandro Costa (10-2) vs. Andres Luna Martinetti (12-0); Contender Series, July 26.

Mackenzie Dern (11-2) vs. Yan Xiaonan (14-3); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 1.

Belal Muhammad (21-3, 1 NC) vs. Sean Brady (15-0); UFC 281, Oct. 22.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thank you for reading! See y’all tomorrow.

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