Israel Adesanya: Robert Whittaker in for a rude awakening when he feels my strength at UFC 271

[KazDibiase]

Robert Whittaker thinks grappling could very well play a factor against Israel Adesanya, but “The Last Stylebender” plans on surprising him.

Middleweight champion Adesanya (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) rematches Whittaker in the main event of of UFC 271, which takes place Feb. 12 at Toyota Center in Houston. In their title unification bout at UFC 243, Adesanya dethroned Whittaker by putting on a striking masterclass en route to a second-round knockout.

But Whittaker (23-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) has since rebounded in impressive fashion, incorporating some grappling to help nullify some of the best and hardest-hitting strikers in the division. For this training camp, Adesanya says he’s been working a lot on his strength and welcomes the grappling exchanges in the fight.


“Rob’s going to be in shock,” Adesanya said in an interview with Combat TV. “He’s going to be in for a rude awakening is when he feels me because the first time we didn’t clinch. I hope to clinch with him this time because every time they do it and they realize, ‘Oh he’s a lot stronger than –’ they all say that. They think they know how strong I am until they feel me, then they’re like, ‘Oh sh*t.'”

Adesanya’s win over Whittaker was near flawless, so will it be difficult for him to get up for a rematch? The reigning champion says he actually plans on putting on an even better performance.

“For me, not so hard,” Adesanya said. “I won’t even say more difficult, but there’s a – because everybody expects me to wash this guy, same way everyone expected me to wash (Marvin) Vettori. So it’s the pressure I put on myself that I have to dominate in every facet of this fight. Grappling, standup, against the fence, in the clinch, anywhere the fight goes. So I put that pressure on myself because I expect better of myself, and I want to make sure I show out even better than the first time I faced the opponent.”

He continued, “I’m not going to fight him the way I fought him the first time, and I know he’s not going to fight me the way he fought me the first time. He’s a silly boy. If he thinks he has someone else’s blueprint to beat me, he’s a silly man. But his team’s smart, so that’s why I take him seriously. It’s because of his team. He, himself, he’s a silly boy.”

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022...ker-in-for-rude-awakening-my-strength-ufc-271

 

[mmaknight]

Bobby did, in fact, feel the strength of Adesanya's striking the first time so I don't think he's underestimating his foe.

 

[Masturbin]

Since he's talking about strenght, I remember Brunson telling his coaches that Izzy was weak and skinny after he koed him lmao.

Grappling is not the key vs Izzy. At least not cage pressing into a takedown. Once his ass touches the fence,he' very had to takedown.
Striking is the key imo.Less headhunting,more bodypunches/kicks and leg kicks to punish his limbo style

 

[FIghtxIQ]

Since he's talking about strenght, I remember Brunson telling his coaches that Izzy was weak and skinny after he koed him lmao.

Grappling is not the key vs Izzy. At least not cage pressing into a takedown. Once his ass touches the fence,he' very had to takedown.
Striking is the key imo.Less headhunting,more bodypunches/kicks and leg kicks to punish his limbo style

Open takedowns is key. Middleweights is usually shorter than him so it's a lot harder to get him down and keep him down against the cage. His hips are a lot higher than what they are used to. They'll need more trips/sweeps instead of typical single/double legs. People don't ever account for height when doing those takedowns. It's different when they are taller and their hips are higher, you can't do the same type of takedowns you do on someone your height. That's why a lot of people struggle trying to take down taller/bigger fighters. They go for the same takedowns they use on people their height/size and it doesn't work. Longer legs gives them better base and angles/positioning. Try to pick them up their legs will touch the floor because of the height difference that's why you always see them pick them up just for them to land on their feet.

 

[RockyLockridge]

I think izzy is giving him the credit he deserves. he's the best fighter outside of izzy obviously but he's a tailor made bad match up for adesanya.

 

[Midget Boxer]

Least hyped title fight

 

[deman]

Who cares. You already thrashed him once.

 

[HeDidn'tWantTheFight]

Bobby did, in fact, feel the strength of Adesanya's striking the first time so I don't think he's underestimating his foe.

Was pre gyno though

 

[mjoln]

Polish power?

 

[Normot]

Whittaker is a full on adult. Would even be an adult if he wasn't a fighter. Adesanya literally acts like a silly boy.
Unfortunately for Rob some of the GOATS have the maturity of silly boys so it doesn't mean much.

 

[2004 account]

That titty strength is underrated

 

[2004 account]

Whittaker is a full on adult. Would even be an adult if he wasn't a fighter. Adesanya literally acts like a silly boy.
Unfortunately for Rob some of the GOATS have the maturity of silly boys so it doesn't mean much.

Wait you consider izzy one of the goats? Anderson gsp and Fedor are all class, you must mean jones?

 

[LoveMyMMA]

Least hyped title fight

Middleweight division is boring af.

 

[Normot]

Wait you consider izzy one of the goats? Anderson gsp and Fedor are all class, you must mean jones?

No, not Izzy. Not there yet and I don't think he is going to make it. I am of course talking about Jones and Jake Paul.

 

[RockyLockridge]

Least hyped title fight

Most rematches of one sided beatdowns are.

 

[Fatback96]

I’m guess he means he’s becoming Titty Izzy again.

 

[mspin]

Bob always seemed like a decent chap. Friendly. Smiley. Easy going. Tough.

Then he started talking. And revealing his rotted soul.

In a recent interview, Bob was talking about how much HATRED he had for Izzy before their first fight. Just a well of uncontrollable, venomous, unwarranted and unceasing hatred. Rage and hatred of seemingly unknown and unjustified origin.

Sure, he’s since come out and explained he’s changed his heart. Whatever.

Bob needs to be taught some life-changing lessons. I don’t know what they are, but getting thoroughly smashed, humbled and broken by a superior fighter in an octagon for the second time would be a good start. So, for Bob’s sake, I hope Izzy breaks him. In half.

 

[SovereignPhantom]

Show him your strength!

 

[GoshiShun17]

Whittaker is a full on adult. Would even be an adult if he wasn't a fighter. Adesanya literally acts like a silly boy.
Unfortunately for Rob some of the GOATS have the maturity of silly boys so it doesn't mean much.

Wait you consider izzy one of the goats? Anderson gsp and Fedor are all class, you must mean jones?

Robert is a silly boy, just like you two goofs.

Bob always seemed like a decent chap. Friendly. Smiley. Easy going. Tough.

Then he started talking. And revealing his rotted soul.

In a recent interview, Bob was talking about how much HATRED he had for Izzy before their first fight. Just a well of uncontrollable, venomous, unwarranted and unceasing hatred. Rage and hatred of seemingly unknown and unjustified origin.

Sure, he’s since come out and explained he’s changed his heart. Whatever.

Bob needs to be taught some life-changing lessons. I don’t know what they are, but getting thoroughly smashed, humbled and broken by a superior fighter in an octagon for the second time would be a good start. So, for Bob’s sake, I hope Izzy breaks him. In half.

This made me giggle.. pause. It's facts tho.

 

[GoshiShun17]

Least hyped title fight

Most rematches of one sided beatdowns are.

Well I'm certainly looking forward to it. The fact of the matter is that Israel and Rob are two of the best and most fun to watch that have ever done it at 185.

Plenty of one sided fights have had much different results in the rematch. But even if this one doesn't, I'm sure I'll be entertained watching these skilled young men go at it. Especially knowing they are both in their primes or not far off.