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USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Paul Felder: David Goggins can help Israel Adesanya find next level of commitment and grit
Paul Felder: David Goggins can help Israel Adesanya find next level of commitment and grit Paul Felder sees David Goggins having a positive impact on Israel Adesanya. Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) has recently spent time training with former Navy SEAL Goggins, who put him through the trenches in a workout that resulted in the former UFC middleweight champion throwing up. With Adesanya currently on a three-fight losing skid, Felder thinks Goggins can reignite the fire in "The Stylebender." "Depending on what you're using it for, this could be a great thing for him," Felder said on the "Believe You Me" podcast. "Because if it's just to get your ass back in gear, get you motivated, and maybe push yourself to another level that you're not quite getting just doing your basic, everyday gym training, and you want to just kind of find out who you are, Goggins is the guy to pull that out of you. 'He's just going to torture you. He's going to make you find another level down there. And with somebody like Izzy, who's shown that he's still got the skills, whereas Tony (Ferguson), I see why that might have been something they were trying to pair up with each other to try to dig him out of the trenches, but I think he's just too far gone physically and in so many other ways, where (Goggins) wasn't able to really make him successful." Goggins' work with Tony Ferguson may have not yielded results, but his work with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones prior to his fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 certainly did. "Jones, I could see why Jon would want a guy like that around, a guy who maybe slips off and loses discipline," Felder said. "And Izzy maybe is having the same issues where he just needs to find that next level of commitment and grit more importantly." Adesanya is coming off a TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in February. He recently caught the itch to compete again, and wants to avenge his loss to Sean Strickland, who dethroned him to become middleweight champion at UFC 293.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya reveals the name of potential opponent for his comeback bout - 'You will like this one'
Fighters in the world of combat sports draw their motivation and inspiration from different sources. Most of the renowned fighters draw their motivation from the childhood experiences of their lives, owing to bullying and survival-based needs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya , too, was bullied as a kid. Rising up from that state, the fighter has developed a commendable career arc in the world of combat sports. In a recent video on the fighter's YouTube channel, Adesanya, while training with the retired US Navy SEAL, David Goggins , revealed the name of the opponent he would want to face next. Israel Adesanya talks to retired US Navy SEAL David Goggins about his previous fights and potential comeback bout Despite a marvellous career arc, Israel Adesanya's last appearance within the Octagon has been marked with a disastrous losing skid. With an MMA record of 24-5-0, the fighter's first-ever defeat came from Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya reclaimed the lost title in his bout against Marvin Vettori and defended it for two more times before finally losing it to Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Even though The Last Stylebender managed to get back the title once again in a rematch with Pereira, he lost it to Sean Strickland, and ever since, the career graph of the fighter has faced a setback with back-to-back losses. While the losing skid continued, one of the fighters that Adesanya exclusively wanted to face and have a rematch with is Strickland. Ever since their bout at UFC 293 and Strickland's unanimous win, Strickland has been continuously trash-talking Adesanya across interviews and public appearances. This has provided an extra motivation for the Nigerian fighter to bounce back on a high note. In a recent video on the fighter's YouTube channel, Adesanya had a brief talk with Former US Navy David Goggins before their scheduled workout. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the talk, Adesanya expressed his state of mind after the back-to-back defeats and what helped him decided to get back into the Octagon. 'I didn't spar after my last fight. I didn't spar, just cause I was looking after my brain. Then I sparred with Kamaru Usman for the first time in months. I knew once I sparred, I would want to fight.' The fighter went to reveal the name of his desired opponent, 'I told Hunter [Campbell] already. I told my coach here, it's time. I know who, I have a feeling who I wanna fight. You'll like this one. I can get some get-back: Sean Strickland' Adesanya, humbly, accepted the defeat that came from his bout with Strickland while giving the latter complete credit for his win. However, the post fight activities of Strickland was something that bothered Adesanya to the core Israel Adesanya and David Goggins Chat Before Their BRUTAL Training Session 'He beat me fair and square in Sydney, five nil. Just whooped my ass badly. That was one of the things what made me realize I need to slow down in my activity. I was fighting 3-4 a year as a champion. So I'm like, I'm gonna pull back now because I'm older. I'm doing things different. I don't wanna make excuses because he beat me. But then I just wanna show him if he beat me at my best. So, this time I'm gonna come in and correct.' The fighter continued, 'Everything he's done since that… because I used to get bullied a lot as a kid. So he's an embodiment of that in a sense. He attacked a young me, the inner child. So, I wanna protect him and get some get-back on him' Adesanya reflected on how the trash-talking by Strickland reminded the former of his childhood days when he used to get bullied. Also read: Strickland's last bout was a defeat against Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland lost the title run, which was also a rematch of the bout where the fighter lost the middleweight title after winning it from Adesanya. Even though there is no official confirmation of the bout between Adesanya and Strickland, the announcement by the Last Stylebender has generated excitement within the MMA community.
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Israel Adesanya wants Sean Strickland rematch: 'I gotta get some get backs'
Israel Adesanya wants Sean Strickland rematch: 'I gotta get some get backs' Former UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya wants revenge against Sean Strickland, the fighter who ended his second title reign. Israel Adesanya is eager to get back on track by getting one back on Sean Strickland, who ended his second UFC middleweight title reign. Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) was pleased with his preparation for his first fight of 2025, but still came up short against Nassourdine Imavov in February. After 12 consecutive title fights, "The Last Stylebender" competed for the first time without gold on the line, a period stretching back to February 2019. Some believe Adesanya's best days are behind him. He acknowledges that he's older as a fighter, which has prompted changes in his approach to fighting, but is still finding inspiration in seeing friends like Alexander Volkanovski win big title fights. Despite the recent string of losses and competing less often, Adesanya recently caught the itch again after a rare sparring session with Kamaru Usman. "I didn't spar after my last fight because I did so well in the fight, so well in the camp, and I didn't get the result I wanted," Adesanya said in a video on his YouTube channel. "But I was like, I'm still proud of myself. I'm still proud of the way I worked. So then I didn't spar because I just looked after my brain, and then when I was in Miami recently watching Volk get his belt back in Miami as well, then I sparred with Kamaru Usman for the first time in months. I knew once I sparred, I'd be like, 'Man, y'all got any fights?' "So for me now, I'm like, OK, I told Hunter (Campbell) already, I told coach, that it's time. I just knew, and I know who. I have a feeling who I want to fight. You'll like this one. I gotta get some get back. Strickland. I'm gonna get him back." At UFC 293, Strickland clearly defeated Adesanya on the scorecards with identical 49-46 scores across the board to win the middleweight title and end Adesanya's second reign. It was a stark contrast to the fight prior, where Adesanya created one of the best highlights in recent history by knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC 287 to reclaim the title he lost to Pereira six months prior. Adesanya credits Strickland for his performance that fateful night in Australia, but if he gets the rematch, this time around he'll be doing it for the younger version of Adesanya who was bullied as a kid. "Because he beat me fair and square in Sydney, five-nil," Adesanya said when asked by David Goggins why he wants to rematch Strickland. "Just whooped my ass badly. And again, that was one of the things what made me realize that I need to slow down in my activity. I was fighting like three, four times a year as a champion. So, I was like, I'm going to pull back now because I'm older, I'm doing things different. So, I don't want to make excuses, because he beat me, but then I just want to show him, if you beat me at my best. This time, I'm gonna come at him correct." "Everything he's done since that – because, I used to get bullied a lot as a kid," Adesanya said. "So, he's an embodiment of that in a sense. He attacked the young me, the inner child. So, I just want to protect him and get some get back for him."
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 64: How to watch Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg, start time, Mexico City fight card, odds, more
The UFC is back in Mexico for the second straight year Saturday with UFC on ESPN 64 in Mexico City. Here's how to watch UFC on ESPN 64 with a former flyweight champion in the headlining spot against a recent title challenger. Broadcast and streaming info UFC on ESPN 64 has a main card that starts at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The preliminary card streams on ESPN+ at noon ET. Veteran broadcaster Dan Hellie serves as desk anchor and host at UFC on ESPN 64. Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith and retired veteran welterweight Alan Jouban join him at the desk as analysts at the desk. Longtime UFC correspondent Megan Olivi will conduct pre and post-fight interviews backstage with some of the athletes on the UFC on ESPN 64 card, as well as report additional real-time updates for the event. Jon Anik will serve as the leading man on the mic from cageside at UFC on ESPN 64. He'll command play-by-play and be joined in the booth by UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and Laura Sanko. It's the second time the trio has called a UFC event and first time since UFC 293 in September 2023. (Mike Bohn—MMA Junkie) Main event: Brandon Moreno Record: 23-8-2 MMA, 11-4-2 UFC Opponent: Steve Erceg (12-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) Division: Flyweight Key wins: Amir Albazi, Deiveson Figueiredo (twice), Kai Kara-France (twice), Brandon Royval Misc.: Two-time flyweight champ Moreno got back on track in November with a win over Amir Albazi. He had back-to-back split decision losses to current champ Alexandre Pantoja, in which he lost the title, and Brandon Royval. The loss to Royval came in a Mexico City headliner a little more than a year ago. Main event: Steve Erceg Record: 12-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC Opponent: Brandon Moreno (23-8-2 MMA, 11-4-2 UFC) Division: Flyweight Key wins: Matt Schnell Misc.: Like Moreno, Erceg's two-fight skid started with a loss to the current champ, Pantoja, in a May 2024 title fight. His shot at getting back on track was derailed in the first round by Kai Kara-France this past August with a knockout at UFC 305 – the first time Erceg was finished. Co-main event: Drew Dober Record: 27-14 MMA, 13-10 UFC Opponent: Manuel Torres (15-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) Division: Lightweight Key wins: Ricky Glenn, King Green, Terrance McKinney, Alexander Hernandez Misc.: Dober has back-to-back losses and setbacks in three of his past four fights, though he also has a pair of bonuses in there – the seventh and eighth of his lengthy UFC tenure. Co-main event: Manuel Torres Record: 15-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC Opponent: Drew Dober (27-14 MMA, 13-10 UFC) Division: Lightweight Key wins: Chris Duncan Misc.: Torres delivered last year in front of his home fans in Mexico with a first-round submission of Chris Duncan for a post-fight bonus. But at UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas this past September, he was knocked out by Ignacio Bahamondes and had his six-fight winning streak snapped. UFC debut: David Martinez Record: 11-1 Opponent: Saimon Oliveira (18-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) Division: Bantamweight Misc.: Martinez won on DWCS in October to get a contract, and he'll put it to use for the first time in front of his home fans in Mexico. The former Combate Global champion has nine of his 11 wins by knockout. UFC debut: Ateba Gautier Record: 6-1 Opponent: Jose Daniel Medina (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) Division: Middleweight Misc.: The 22-year-old from Cameroon had a second-round knockout on DWCS this past September to punch his ticket. Five of his six wins have been by knockout, and they happen to be his last five straight – including four in the opening round. UFC on ESPN 64 main card betting odds MAIN CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET) Brandon Moreno -195 vs. Steve Erceg +165 Drew Dober +100 vs. Manuel Torres -120 Kelvin Gastelum +375 vs. Joe Pyfer -550 Vince Morales +250 vs. Raul Rosas Jr. -320 David Martinez -400 vs. Saimon Oliveira +300 Kevin Borjas +125 vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez -150 UFC on ESPN 64 prelim betting odds PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN2/ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET) Edgar Chairez -320 vs. CJ Vergara +250 Ateba Gautier -600 vs. Jose Daniel Medina +400 Melquizael Costa +145 vs. Christian Rodriguez -175 Loopy Godinez -210 vs. Julia Polastri +175 Rafa Garcia -500 vs. Vinc Pichel +350/li> Jamall Emmers -220 vs. Gabriel Miranda +180 Austin Hubbard +165 vs. MarQuel Mederos -185 UFC on ESPN 64 preview videos For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.
USA Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Yoel Romero offers former UFC rival Israel Adesanya advice amid losing skid
Yoel Romero thinks Israel Adesanya needs to taper down in training if he wants to rebound. Former UFC middleweight champion Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) is on a three-fight losing skid after suffering a TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February. Romero, who lost a decision to Adesanya in their 2020 title fight at UFC 248, wants to see 'The Last Stylebender' take some time off before fighting again. 'Israel, he needed time, he needed rest,' Romero told Submission Radio. 'That's what I think. He needs to rest a little bit because too much damage. The problem is the UFC doesn't give you time. When the UFC calls you, you need to come because you have a contract. 'Now, he needs to think about training – not too hard, not too hard in the sparring. He needs to go to training like a therapy, recovery for the body. He doesn't need now too much sparring. That is my opinion for Israel. If he wants to be back again, he needs to recover the body. But he's still training very hard. It's not good.' Adesanya did take almost a year off after his shocking upset loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023. However, Adesanya failed to reclaim his middleweight title when he was submitted by Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 last August. He then returned almost six months later to face Imavov, but fell short once again. As for Romero, the 47-year-old is still trucking. 'The Soldier of God' takes on Ras Hylton in Saturday's DBX 1 main event at The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Miami.
