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Israel Adesanya is ready to get out of the rivalry with Alex Pereira.
The four are squared four times in kickboxing and mixed martial arts, and each fight saw both men have their moments of power. Adesanya nearly won his first kickboxing match before the judges attacked him, and both the second kickboxing and first MMA match saw “Stylebender” well ahead on the scorecards before a late round rally from “Poatan”. Finally, in his fourth fight, Adesanya earned his revenge with a crushing knockout victory.
Immediately after this win, Adesanya shut down talks of an immediate MMA three-way fight. Pereira did not argue, instead jumping up to the light heavyweight division to face Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 which has important title implications. Meanwhile, Adesanya is busy praying that Dricus du Plessis will somehow get Robert Whitaker out so they can settle their meat inside the octagon.
The two are moving in different directions, and even if technically Adesanya is behind on the scoreboards, he’s reconciled with that. However, “Stylebender” revealed on MMA watch That there is one circumstance where he still wants to fight “Poatan” one last time.
Adesanya told Ariel Helwani (trans MMA junkie). “But if he’s not — I think he’s done with it. I’m done with it. I think everyone wants to see it, but we’ve moved on.”
“If I was going to bet money on it, no (I don’t think it happens). 205, I’ve been there, it’s tough. If he wins the 205 belt, they might as well give him a fast lane like they did me, and then they’ll have an epic fight with a mad witch and a king in 205 with me and him. It will be us for the fifth time.”
Pereira still has at least two light-heavyweight gold wins, but Adesanya is right: these conditions will truly lead to a magical final showdown.
insomnia
Chris Curtis’s response to “No Contest” against Nasuruddin Imamov:
I quarreled, I was cut, I was hurt and injured in fights. But losing my vision and not getting it back right away is something new to me. As much as I want to fight, I thought I had more time to let my eyes clear.
– Chris Curtis The Action Man (@ Actionman513) June 11, 2023
Canada, I love you guys and I will do everything I can to do the next Canadian Card. I owe you to fight. We portray religion, you shit, and I’ll see you again. Lots of love from the Canadians and even the French. I love and appreciate you all. I’ll keep you posted. Come on
– Chris Curtis The Action Man (@ Actionman513) June 11, 2023
Japanese kickboxing star Takeru falls close quarters in this training clip.
Will we likely see Teofimo Lopez back in the ring before 2024?
Teofimo Lopez announced on “This Just In” that he will return from boxing at the age of 25 with a record of 19-1.
amazing. pic.twitter.com/7bunKNIFqg
SpinninBackfist June 12, 2023
Some potentially big changes to how MMA arbitration works may come sooner rather than later.
Amanda Nunes needs a more exciting showcase for her amazing career. That’s a lot of gold! Henry Cejudo is envious.
Bell Jiu laughing at a stray shot in a somewhat prophetic way…
The way a punching fighter brings his right hand back to his chin is a dead giveaway.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Using the hole to plant the kick leg and reset the position – nice!
Perfectly placed head kick counters on a combination:
Just because Israel Adesanya has gone from kickboxing to dominating MMA doesn’t mean it’s easy!
This did not go as planned.
Former GLORY Light Heavyweight Champion Artem Vakhitov’s MMA debut ended after just 55 seconds into the opening rounds due to an elbow injury. pic.twitter.com/qEYJuPkiEj
Beyond Kickboxing (Beyond_Kick) June 11, 2023
random land
Don’t be that guy.
Midnight Music: The Alternative, 1995
Sleep well lunatics! More martial arts craze is always on the way.