After suffering back-to-back losses, Israel Adesanya is currently taking a break from competition. While he’s back in training, he’s in no rush to return to the Octagon and is taking his time before making a comeback. His most recent title fight was a heated grudge match against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305. Recently, ‘Izzy’ also opened up about the emotional moment he experienced during the UFC 305 press conference.
In his last title fight, Adesanya had a heated buildup with Dricus du Plessis, including some intense trash talk. At the UFC 305 press conference, he broke down in tears, and many thought Du Plessis’ words triggered it. But Adesanya later clarified it was something more personal. While appearing on the Pound4Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, ‘Izzy’ revealed:
“That one was different. People were like, ‘Ah, he made you cry’. He didn’t make me cry. Okay, I’ll tell you what it is. I was talking about my mom. I used to go to my mom’s job because she was studying to be a nurse. So, we’d go to the bank to clean at like 4am, get back home, get ready for school, and then go to school.”
Adesanya clarified that he got emotional at the UFC 305 press conference because he saw his mom tear up, not because of Du Plessis’ trash talk. He also revealed on the podcast that Sean Strickland is the opponent he’s hated the most.
Daniel Cormier Says Israel Adesanya Still Has More to Offer After Loss to Imavov
UFC fans were heartbroken as Israel Adesanya suffered his third straight loss, this time to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. While fans speculated about retirement, Adesanya hasn’t made any such announcement yet. Former champ Daniel Cormier, however, believes Izzy still has more to give. On his YouTube channel, DC said,
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“I believe that Adesanya is done fighting for titles, but what I do not believe is that Adesanya is done as a fighter. What I saw in Round 1 was enough for me to believe that he could still compete. What I do believe, though, is that Israel Adesanya has earned the right to fight lesser competition right now but also less rounds.”
Cormier suggested Adesanya should take on lower-ranked opponents in shorter fights, while also acknowledging that Imavov could be next for a title shot—unless Khamzat Chimaev gets there first. With Du Plessis now injured, the Middleweight title fight is also in question.
Also Read: Joe Rogan Compares Israel Adesanya’s Iconic Speech To Elite Hollywood Writing
