Dana White: Israel Adesanya ‘seemed like he was in gradual movement’ at UFC 293, rematch must be subsequent

SYDNEY – Dana White thinks Israel Adesanya simply didn’t seem like himself at UFC 293, however he can’t fairly put his finger on what it was.

Within the middleweight important occasion, Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) misplaced his middleweight title to Sean Strickland (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) by unanimous determination (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) in an all-time title upset.

“Israel seemed like he was in gradual movement,” White informed reporters together with MMA Junkie after the occasion. “He seemed like he couldn’t get off. He seemed like he was actually stiff tonight. He seemed very gradual. … Solely Israel is aware of what’s happening. I’m very curious to see what he says at this press convention tonight.

“There are 1,000,000 issues that might go incorrect. Some days you get up and also you’re simply not there, man. It’s simply not there. He seemed bone-dry tonight, standing up actually tall. He seemed very gradual. He seemed like he couldn’t get off in any respect. Even within the fifth spherical when all people knew he wanted a knockout to win the combat, there was no sense of urgency to attempt to end the combat. So I don’t know if he’s damage or if tonight’s the night time.”

Adesanya handed on the standard question-and-answer session throughout his post-fight information convention and had coach Eugene Bareman stand in his place, so these conclusions must be reached at a later date. Nonetheless, White is aware of one factor: Strickland deserves numerous credit score for the efficiency he turned in.

“He got here into hostile territory with the entire world speaking shit about him, the entire world saying he couldn’t do it,” White mentioned. “A seven-to-one underdog, he got here in and virtually completed him within the first spherical and gained the championship, gained the world title. Every part that we’re speaking about proper now about how loopy this sport is, when alternatives come up, you leap on them and you’re taking them. It is best to by no means flip down fights if you get the decision, particularly if it’s for a world title.”

Given Adesanya’s standing within the division and the game’s historical past, White (who typically declines matchmaking questions on the night time of the combat) indicated a direct rematch with Strickland will doubtless be subsequent.

“I believe you do the rematch, completely,” White mentioned. “The rematch is fascinating. That could possibly be the factor, too. When you concentrate on you’re going into the Pereira combat, such an enormous combat, and also you’ve been in there with this man so many instances, and then you definately overlook Strickland. You are available and I don’t know. I don’t know the solutions to those questions, however Israel does, and I’m trying ahead to listening to it.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 293.