Adesanya Denies Being Washed Up – ‘I’m Just Chilling’
Israel Adesanya does not see himself becoming a champion in the UFC again.
Adesanya is the former UFC Middleweight Champion, a belt he acquired after defeating Alex Pereira at UFC 287. But since then, his form has dipped drastically. Izzy has lost three consecutive fights, looking a shadow of the man who was once considered one of the leading fighters in the sport. He failed in the first defense of his UFC Middleweight Title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293. He lost a one-sided unanimous decision, as Strickland caused an upset. Adesanya then said he would take some time off before reevaluating his position. He made it clear that he was not interested in fighting for belts, only for fun.
Izzy’s Mindset
“The belt’s never mattered to me. I mean, it does obviously, but how many times have I said it’s just a fancy tiara that brings more money and this and that, rah, rah, rah. That belt’s just a nice accessory. I’ve already got belts, I have many belts. I’m just going to do it again, just for fun. Just for fun,” Adesanya stated
However, he took a title shot immediately in his next fight against Dricus Du Plessis. Adesanya suffered a fourth-round submission loss at UFC 305. That raised serious question marks over whether Adesanya could return to winning ways. He had the opportunity to do so against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi. But the latter knocked him out, producing another loss for Adesanya as the fighter must now consider his motivations for continuing. Izzy admitted that he is not going to win any belts, but did not feel he was past his best. He will have to do a lot of convincing to ensure fans that he can come back to winning ways, meaning it is vital he wins his next fight.
Adesanya Reacts
“Do I have a title shot in mind for the future? No. When I got to the UFC, I never chased the belt. I stand on that. I never chased the belt. [And] I expected it. I expected to be champion. [And] I expected to get to this point that I wanted to get to because of the work that I put in and my belief in myself, my mindset. I knew with everything that I was going to do, I was going to get there. I expected it. After the (Dricus Du Plessis) fight, I remember just thinking, ‘Oh well, cool. It’ll come around.
“I don’t have to chase it. I know it’ll come around because I expect it.’ Now after this fight, I’m just kind of like, ‘You know what? I’m not expecting anything.’ I’m not expecting to be the champ again. If what I’ve done in this game doesn’t make me happy already, then what will? So I’m not expecting it. If it comes, I’ll take it with both hands, but I’m not expecting it. I’m kind of just chilling and living, training, doing well,” Adesanya said
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