Israel Adesanya News
Israel Adesanya facing the "hardest fight" fight of his career at UFC 259, says head coach
Tom Taylor - March 3, 2021
Israel Adesanya is days out from the toughest fight of his career, according to his head coach, Eugene Bareman. Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, is slated to move up to light heavyweight to challenge Jan Blachowicz in a bid for a second-title at UFC 259 this Saturday.
UFC 259: Blachowicz vs. Adesanya full betting odds
Adam Martin - March 3, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC 259 PPV card featuring Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya in the main event. The stacked card features three title fights, with the marquee headliner featuring UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya moving up to 205lbs in an attempt to challenge light heavyweight kingpin Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya is a perfect 20-0 in MMA and 9-0 in the UFC alone, so he’s a big favorite here at the sportsbooks to win a second UFC title. Blachowicz, meanwhile, is the underdog yet again, a role he has played in 12 UFC fights thus far in his career. Incredibly, he’s won eight fights as an underdog in the Octagon. Can he pull off his ninth underdog win at UFC 259 this weekend? We’ll find out on Saturday.
Jan Blachowicz reveals massive weight advantage for Israel Adesanya superfight at UFC 259
Adam Martin - March 3, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz says he expects to weigh between 215lbs and 220lbs when he fights Israel Adesanya at UFC 259. Adesanya is moving up to the UFC light heavyweight division for the first time in an attempt to become a rare double champion. “The Last Stylebender” has said that he plans on weighing around 193lbs come fight night, which would obviously make him one of the lightest light heavyweights in the division. Standing across from him on Saturday night will be Blachowicz, the reigning and defending UFC light heavyweight champion. And while Adesanya is two inches taller than him, there is going to be a major difference in weight.
Israel Adesanya says no middleweight fights excite him except for Darren Till
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2021
Israel Adesanya isn’t too excited about the middleweight division. Adesanya, who has already defended his middleweight title twice, is set to move up to face Jan Blachowicz in the main event of UFC 259. If Adesanya wins and becomes a champ-champ, many wonder if he will go back to middleweight or remain at light heavyweight.
Uriah Hall on potential Israel Adesanya matchup: "I would f*ck him up*
Adam Martin - March 2, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall is confident he would “f*ck up” Israel Adesanya if the two ever step into the Octagon together. Hall is currently the No. 9 ranked middleweight in the UFC and is one of the many contenders vying for a title fight against the champion Adesanya. So far in his MMA career, Adesanya is a perfect 20-0 and 9-0 in the UFC alone. He has been destroying pretty much everyone in his path, with knockout wins over the likes of Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. This weekend, Adesanya moves up to 205lbs in an attempt to become a double UFC champion against Israel Adesanya. Win or lose, however, “The Last Stylebender” said he still plans on moving back down to middleweight after the fight.
Israel Adesanya reveals expected weight for light heavyweight title fight: "I could still make 185" by Friday
Tom Taylor - March 2, 2021
In the main event of Saturday’s UFC 259 card, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will challenge Jan Blachowicz for the promotion’s light heavyweight belt. While Adesanya could soon be the UFC light heavyweight champion, don’t expect him to look the part.
UFC 259 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jan Blachowicz vs Israel Adesanya title fight
Cole Shelton - March 2, 2021
In the main event of UFC 259, Jan Blachowicz is set to defend his light heavyweight title against middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. Heading into the fight, Blachowicz is a +190 underdog while “The Last Stylebender” is a -240 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking Adesanya’s striking is too good and will beat Blachowicz to become a champ-champ.
Israel Adesanya reacts after Paulo Costa suggests he was hungover in their fight at UFC 253
Harry Kettle - March 2, 2021
UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya has issued a reaction to Paulo Costa’s claim he was hungover for the UFC 253 showdown. Adesanya put on a real show when he defended his UFC Middleweight Championship against Costa, dominating and finishing the Brazilian star to successfully retain his title. Now, this Saturday at UFC 259, he’ll attempt to become a two-weight world champion when he challenges Jan Blachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Israel Adesanya excited to show off BJJ purple belt skills with first career submission: "I do want to choke someone out"
Adam Martin - March 1, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya said that he is excited to show off his BJJ purple belt skills in the Octagon at some point. Adesanya, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, will move up to 205lbs this Saturday night at UFC 259 when he takes on UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. The expectation is that this fight between two talented strikers will take place on the feet, but Blachowicz has some ground skills and there is the chance the fight goes to the mat. If that’s what happens in the fight, then Adesanya is fully prepared. In fact, he wants to show off that side of his game, hinting that a submission victory could be coming soon.
Israel Adesanya hopes to create "iconic and historic" moment alongside Usman, Ngannou
Tom Taylor - March 1, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is hoping to create an iconic and historic moment alongside Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou. Adesanya, who now calls New Zealand home, was born in Nigeria. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, was also born in Nigeria, while Ngannou, the UFC’s top heavyweight contender, is a native of Cameroon.
Cub Swanson scolds Paulo Costa for suggesting he fought Israel Adesanya with a hangover: “How dumb can you be?”
Harry Kettle - March 1, 2021
UFC veteran Cub Swanson isn’t happy with Paulo Costa claiming he was hungover when he fought Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. The bout between Costa and Adesanya on Fight Island, which was contested for the UFC Middleweight Championship, wasn’t particularly close — and you won’t find many fighters or fans who disagree with that.
Paulo Costa claims he drank a bottle of wine the night before his title fight with Israel Adesanya
Adam Martin - February 28, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa claimed that he drank too much wine the night before his title fight with Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. The then-undefeated Costa was considered a live dog to defeat the champion Adesanya, but he proved to be an easy night at the office for the champion, who picked him apart with strikes from the outside before knocking Costa out. It was a fantastic performance by Adesanya, for sure, but it was still hard to believe Costa couldn’t offer more resistance. And now, the Brazilian is speaking out and explaining just why he performed so poorly, blaming it on a night of drinking, a decision that Costa surely wishes he hadn’t made.
Daniel Cormier shares prediction for Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya title fight at UFC 259
Harry Kettle - February 24, 2021
Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on the upcoming Light Heavyweight Championship bout between Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya. The two men will meet at UFC 259 in a fight that will see Blachowicz defend his newly won belt for the very first time. Adesanya, on the other hand, will be attempting to join an elite group of fighters to hold two belts in the UFC at the very same time.
Jan Blachowicz says potential "bad blood" with Israel Adesanya depends on his trash talk
Harry Kettle - February 23, 2021
UFC light heavyweight king Jan Blachowicz says he doesn’t have bad blood with Israel Adesanya right now – but that could change leading up to UFC 259. The two men are set to clash for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship as Blachowicz defends the belt for the very first time. Adesanya, on the other hand, is hoping to join an elite group of fighters to have won belts in two different weight classes.
Glover Teixeira explains why he turned down fight at UFC 259 for backup role instead
Adam Martin - February 21, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira explained why he turned down the chance to fight at UFC 259 for the backup role instead. The 41-year-old Teixeira is currently the No. 1 contender in the UFC light heavywight division following a submission win over Thiago Santos in his last fight. The Brazilian has won his last five straight fights and many analysts thought he should have been next in line to fight UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Instead, the UFC decided to give the next title shot at 205lbs to Israel Adesanya. Blachowicz and Adesanya will now headline UFC 259 on March 6, with Teixeira flying to Las Vegas to serve as a backup for the fight.
Jan Blachowicz makes bold prediction for Israel Adesanya fight at UFC 259
Adam Martin - February 19, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz made a bold prediction for his upcoming championship match against Israel Adesanya at UFC 259. Blachowicz puts his 205lbs belt on the line for the first time against Adesanya on March 6 at UFC 259. For Blachowicz, it’s yet another fight where he’s being count, as the champion is once again a sizeable underdog to defeat Adesanya. Many believe that Adesanya is going to go in there and earn an easy paycheck, but despite all of the doubters, Blachowicz is confident he can get the job done. In fact, he’s even predicting a highlight-reel finish.
UFC 259: 'Blachowicz vs. Adesanya' Fight Card and Start Times
Christopher Taylor - February 14, 2021
The official fight card and lineup for next month’s UFC 259: ‘Blachowicz vs. Adesanya’ event was released on Saturday night. UFC 259 is set for March 6 in Las Vegas and features a total of three title fights.
Tyron Woodley rips Israel Adesanya for moving up to 205lbs as soon as Jon Jones left the division
Christopher Taylor - February 11, 2021
Tyron Woodley is perplexed by Israel Adesanya’s decision to move up to 205lbs immediately after Jon Jones left the division. Last summer it appeared that a potential showdown between Jones and Adesanya was a real possibility. However, the potential super-fight was shutdown after ‘Stylebender’ stated that he intended on clearing out the promotions middleweight division before making a move up to light heavyweight.