This Saturday, Israel Adesanya will defend his middleweight title against the man he took the belt from, Robert Whittaker, in the main event of UFC 271. Adesanya defeated Whittaker in their first fight. He scored a knockout in the second round, one of the best performances of his professional career. But despite the sensational performance, Adesanya says that he actually did not fight according to plan in that bout.
“I was surprised with the way I played the game,” Adesanya said on his own YouTube channel. “I called an audible, without realizing it because we had game plans but then I matched him energy. I was just like, ‘Right, you want to stand 10 toes down, f*ck it. I can stand 10 toes down and I can get buck wild.’ So I matched his energy and I just called an audible. It was a different fight.
“I humbled him to the sense that he can’t say the sh*t he was saying the first time around, because he was talking all that sh*t saying this and that. ‘I think Adesanya isn’t as good as he thinks he is.’ I remember that. I’m the elephant in the f*cking room. I never forget. ‘Oh, Israel’s not as good as he thinks he is.’ I’ll show you how great I think I am.”
Adesanya wasn’t the only one who fought differently on that evening. Whittaker admitted after the loss that the tension between them got to him. He said that he was angry and hateful and it cost him his fight. Heading into the rematch, Whittaker says that he’s put aside his ego and is approaching this fight much more clear-headed, but Adesanya doesn’t seem to believe him.
” I saw some of his words. “It’s almost like he has difficulty swallowing,” Adesanya stated. It’s hard for him to swallow. He’s admitting it, he’s saying the right things, but he’s not believing it. His ego will not let him, and this is his downfall. His ego. People tried to say that about me leading to the first fight. “Oh, he is too self-centered.” He’s not humble like Whittaker.’ I’m like, bro, stop. My humility is extraordinary. I know my limits as a human being and my capabilities. It’s clear that I am the sh*t, but I also know my limits as a human being and my capabilities. This new mental clarity has helped him tremendously. I just don’t buy into it.”
Though Adesanya may not buy into the rejuvenated ‘Bobby Knuckles’, fans certainly are. Since his defeat to the champion, Whittaker has rattled off three impressive wins in a row, all over ranked opposition. That run, plus Whittaker’s admission of fault the first time around, have fans buzzing about what the rematch will look like this weekend. Adesanya believes Whittaker gets too much credit for the wins.
“Yes. Way too much,” Adesanya said. To the point that I wonder if he invented a move? He invented the jab, or did he invent something else? He improved, yes, but not to the point where people have blown it up to be. It is a small percentage. I think maybe people just have low standards, that’s all. I just have high standards….
“He played the game very well against all three opponents, I feel. At the same time, you put those three guys together, they don’t amount to me. It’s different from the way they play. As I stated, (Georges St-Pierre impression). “I wasn’t impressed with your performance .'”
.”
UFC 271 takes place this Saturday at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX.
Sean Strickland won a split decision over Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47.
Sean Strickland criticizes UFC Vegas 47 win after succumbing to pressure from ‘fancy f*ckers wearing suits’.
Jack Hermansson reacts to UFC Vegas 47 loss with poem for Sean Strickland.
Joe Rogan apologizes for past use of racial slur, calls it ‘most regretful and shameful’ moment in his career.
TUF. Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes to serve as The Ultimate Fighter 30 coaches, rematch after season.
UFC Vegas 47 Post Show.
Israel Adesanya fight camp.
Tattoo artists react to Israel Adesanya’s tattoos.
Dana White getting into Nascar.
Next One. Matches to make following UFC Vegas 47.
Sean Strickland.
I probably shouldn’t say this and no disrespect to Jack he’s a warrior… but I feel like I didn’t even try this fight.. Like I was treating it like a low level sparring match.. very disappointing… let the pressure get to me… won’t happen again..
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) February 6, 2022
Thank you for the fight. You are safe, man. True warrior. pic.twitter.com/NwJGL8Rzvb
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) February 6, 2022
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) February 6, 2022
Same coach different fighter lmao…. you guys I’m starting to think I need to change my public image haha!! pic.twitter.com/ol2wNH8qzT
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) February 6, 2022
Big fight.
@GilbertDurinho 9 April pic.twitter.com/eU5gd3fc4M
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) February 5, 2022
I’m ready! Make sure you get your visa ready! It’s coming soon. https://t.co/Qbni2ExS5L
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) February 6, 2022
I am gonna fix a visa with my fists in your face! 1 round finish!
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) February 6, 2022
Offering suggestions.
Nevada Athletic Commission, how can we be better? Again, I’ll open any of my practices for judges and refs so they can get reps. Judges only reps are live fights, then they go back to their 9 to 5’s. Anyway we can help get better, I’m in. #UFCVegas47
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) February 6, 2022
Elmo trying to get in Dustin Poirier’s side.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 7, 2022
Reinier de Ridder (14-0) vs. Kiamrian Abbasov (23-4); ONE: Full Circle, Feb. 25.
David Branch (22-7) vs. Leandro Ataides (11-5); ONE: Full Circle, Feb. 25.
Aleksei Oleinik (59-16-1) vs. Ilir Latifi (15-8, 1 NC); UFC Columbus, Mar. 26.
Ian Garry (8-0) vs. Darian Weeks (5-1); UFC 273, Apr. 9.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
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