Is Adesanya Done at a Chamionship Level or Does He Take This Agaisnt Dricus?

[MigitAs]

He’s roadworn at this point and lost the fire, maybe he can surprise one more time, but I doubt it.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

Cannonier did get the title shot? He got completely shut out, this was only 3 fights ago. His split stinker with Strickland should not have earned him an automatic second title shot. He also already lost to Whittaker. You are right, he isn't seen as championship material.

If he beat Imavov he would be back in the mix, but instead he continued his trend of never putting more than 2 wins together.

The division is thin and this is where we land. Izzy is still the highest ranked opponent available to Driccus he hasn't already beaten.

Yes, against Israel Adesanya, and as you said - 3 fights ago, which is a long time.


I mean you're phrasing it in an odd way, when Cannonier was obviously the #1 contender to fight Strickland or DDP.

He had already beaten Strickland who was the reigning champion, so obviously under many circumstances, the UFC would push that guy to rematch the champion.

The loss that you are mentioning to him, was his only loss in the last 5 fights, and was against the champion at the time.

He beat another credible opponent after beating Strickland.


It's obvious that he deserved to fight DDP for the title. There's nothing "automatic" about him getting a title shot, he literally beat 2 high ranked fighters right after his loss to Adesanya. Who did better?

It seems like you have the timeframe entirely jumbled, or are mixing things up to make it seem like some guys are worse than they are.


Israel got a title shot because he is a recognizable name, and the "African" controversy is an easy sell with him and DDP. It isn't because everyone at MW sucks, that doesn't even make sense.


I mean maybe I am wrong, but how can you say that Israel gets a title shot because Cannonier is coming off a TKO, when Cannonier hadn't been TKO'd yet? "A pattern of two win streaks", which doesn't really mean anything in terms of title contendership. It feels like you're glancing at wikipedia or something.

 

[rjmbrd]

Yes, against Israel Adesanya, and as you said - 3 fights ago, which is a long time.


I mean you're phrasing it in an odd way, when Cannonier was obviously the #1 contender to fight Strickland or DDP.

He had already beaten Strickland who was the reigning champion, so obviously under many circumstances, the UFC would push that guy to rematch the champion.

The loss that you are mentioning to him, was his only loss in the last 5 fights, and was against the champion at the time.

He beat another credible opponent after beating Strickland.


It's obvious that he deserved to fight DDP for the title. There's nothing "automatic" about him getting a title shot, he literally beat 2 high ranked fighters right after his loss to Adesanya. Who did better?

It seems like you have the timeframe entirely jumbled, or are mixing things up to make it seem like some guys are worse than they are.


Israel got a title shot because he is a recognizable name, and the "African" controversy is an easy sell with him and DDP. It isn't because everyone at MW sucks, that doesn't even make sense.


I mean maybe I am wrong, but how can you say that Israel gets a title shot because Cannonier is coming off a TKO, when Cannonier hadn't been TKO'd yet? "A pattern of two win streaks", which doesn't really mean anything in terms of title contendership. It feels like you're glancing at wikipedia or something.

History has sorted this out for us - Cannonier couldn't beat Izzy. It should be obvious after getting dominated, he doesn't get another title shot literally two fights later. Imagine thinking you deserve a title shot every three fights? Two failed attempts, you need to earn your way.

Imavov smashed Cannonier
Izzy casually out classed Cannonier

Strickland beat both of them. Explain to me how the right thing didn't happen?

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

We'll find out.

 

[Jibsta69]

It’s rare a fighter regains his aura after losing his it and his belt because they lose that passion and confidence along with it. Yes I know he lost to Jan and Alex but his aura was seriously damaged after Strickland beat him.

 

[TheBulge]

Who knows. So many unknown factors. Adesanya is the better fighter overall in their careers but how much is he past his prime at this point? And how much of it is mental? Is it 90% or half?

On paper his style should match up very well against Dricus but that's what we thought against Strickland and turns out he was clueless in there and couldn't deal with his awkward style.

Bottom line is that if Adesanya loses and loses badly then he's past his prime and Dricus is just that good. If he wins then Dricus was never that good.

 

[Tweak896]

Hard for me to choose this fight. If Izzy is as motivated as he was as champ he should have no problem piecing apart DDP's sloppy offensive. DDP isn't Strickland with good defense. Israel should be the kind of fighter perfect to snipe DDP coming in every time.

But we've seen guys after losing the title a couple times sort of check out. And if Izzy is fine with his accomplishments then he might be too passive and get pressured and fold.

Hard for me to get a read on Izzy's mindset. DDP will be ready and up for it though, probably should be slightly favored.

 

[Doughie99]

I can’t figure out a winner on this fight. I originally picked Izzy but now I lean more towards DDP as the fight gets closer. Adesanya has cleaner and better technique but he takes his foot off the gas way to much in fights. Dricus usually thrives against guys who lay back as he gets ahead quickly on activity and damage. I personally think the best version of Israel beats the best version of Dricus but Izzy may have lost the fire. Thoughts?

My thoughts are I do not want this fight to go the distance as it's highly likely to be some fucked up warped judges decision, especially as it's geographically in Adesanya's part of the world.

Hoping Dricus pulverizes Adesanya and Adesanya retires.

 

[chinarice]

I like both fighters but I feel like rooting for Izzy is way more fun here because he triggers the living hell out of Sherdoggers, which I find comical.

He sent 2 Sherdog darlings to the shadowrealm. Love it.

 

[Doughie99]

Izzy has struggled against pressure fighters in the past. Gastelum put it on him before Izzy was able to turn the tide late. Poatan TKO'd him in the 5th when he finally started to pressure and was in full control of the second fight pressuring from the beginning before he got overaggressive seeking the finish and Izzy made him pay for it. Then there was the Strickland fight. Dricus has the tools to give Izzy stylistic problems. Honestly I'm probably 55/45 DDP. I'm not super confident on the pick, but I do slightly favor DDP pressuring the shit out of him.

 

[Cowboy Kurt Angle]

I don’t really care who wins but I’m leaning towards Izzy, I just see Dricus marching forward at Izzy and getting koed by a Hook on the back feet by Izzy

 

[PEDRO IVO RUSSO MIRANDA]

I think dricus Will follow the exact game plan Blachowicz did.
He have the phisicallity to do It, and arguably better wrestling skills

 

[JustBleed69]

I can’t figure out a winner on this fight. I originally picked Izzy but now I lean more towards DDP as the fight gets closer. Adesanya has cleaner and better technique but he takes his foot off the gas way to much in fights. Dricus usually thrives against guys who lay back as he gets ahead quickly on activity and damage. I personally think the best version of Israel beats the best version of Dricus but Izzy may have lost the fire. Thoughts?

I just rewatched all of DDPs UFC fights a couple weeks ago and my thoughts are that the biggest thing that makes DDP special is that he has great durability and does not get deterred from his offense whatsoever. He has some sloppy and reckless striking, but his fortitude and aggression, coupled with his reach and power I think really messes with people in the cage.
I could see Adesanya leaning back and catching DDP, but I could also see those shots not really phasing DDP and him wearing down Israel over time.
It's also hard to say if Israel is still in his prime or not, but I'm going to lean DDP.

 

[michi972]

Adesanya haters & Stricktards make me want Style bender to win in spectacular fashion.

Izzy's salty ex girlfriend behavior throughout ever Poatan title defense makes me want to see him get wrecked in comical fashion.

My mind says Gender bender will emerge victorious. I suppose it depends on where his heart is at, after such a pathetic loss to Strickland...

As a Strickland fan I'm rooting for Izzy

 

[michi972]

To call a champions striking "Amateur at best" while the lad won South Africa's first medal at the WAKO World Championships by winning gold in K-1 style kickboxing, followed by a UFC championship shows a lack of nuanced understanding on your part, mate.
Izzy is a pure counter striker, always has been, while DDP is a lot more adaptable, knowing how to mix in the pressure of his pure physicality against other MWs that on paper are "better" strikers, ask Bobby Knuckles.

Israel has only knocked out men rushing towards him with their guards down, he has never finished a fight while going forward. Name a single finish he's had that wasn't a counter strike.

Actually Dricus is very hitable and opened to counters

 

[ticho123]

One could argue that izzy has been slipping since the Jan fight. He lost to Jan, had a super boring uninspired fight against Vetorri and cannonier, arguable lost to whittaker, lost to pereira, and was losing to pereira until he found that chin in the rematch. Then he got outclassed by strickland.

He just hasn't looked dominant or special for years now.

I mean I agree that he's probably past his prime but LOL at how KO'ing Pereira isn't looking special

 

[MawrSeneca]

The Izzy who showed up against Strickland loses to DDP 10/10 times. The Izzy who fought Poatan in the their two matches beats both Strickland and DDP. Adesanya was prepared to lose his last fight, not taking the fight seriously, letting all of the pre-fight TMZ bullshit get to him. Age will play a factor but the Izzy who fought Pereira and Strickland was night and day. Almost like Leon between Usman and Belal/Covington, or Woodley again Till and Usman. Some fighters just age between fights more than likely due to major injuries in camp.

 

[rjmbrd]

Adesanya is the better fighter overall in their careers

Based on what?

Adesanya has two big career wins that have held up well - Poatan, who he is 1-1 with - and Robert Whittaker 2x. He also got smashed and shut out by Strickland.

DDP has the same big stoppage win in Whittaker and beat Strickland as his two marquee names. That lands him at 7-0 in the UFC with 5 finishes.

Izzy has been around longer but I don't think there is anything materially "better fighter" in their careers. His controversial stinker decision over Romero was manna falling from the sky, and he was besmirched by Jan when trying to move up. I think both of these guys have a handful of truly impressive wins and some solid middle-pack fighters. Izzy has more wins over time and 3 UFC losses for it.

IMO these guys are very evenly matched in demonstrated capability.

 

[TheBulge]

Based on what?

Adesanya has two big career wins that have held up well - Poatan, who he is 1-1 with - and Robert Whittaker 2x. He also got smashed and shut out by Strickland.

DDP has the same big stoppage win in Whittaker and beat Strickland as his two marquee names. That lands him at 7-0 in the UFC with 5 finishes.

Izzy has been around longer but I don't think there is anything materially "better fighter" in their careers. His controversial stinker decision over Romero was manna falling from the sky, and he was besmirched by Jan when trying to move up. I think both of these guys have a handful of truly impressive wins and some solid middle-pack fighters. Izzy has more wins over time and 3 UFC losses for it.

IMO these guys are very evenly matched in demonstrated capability.

You're getting very close to one of the worst takes I've seen here in a while. I'm far from an Adesanya fan myself but it's beyond doubt that he's a top 3 ATG MW in the UFC and you're comparing him to a new champ who is there for 4 years and mustered up a 7-0 record right when he's in the middle of his streak.

Adesanya has more top 10 wins, more top 5 wins, more wins against future ATG's and is a 2-time champ which is rare and yes he has more losses since he's been through the entire division and even a division he didn't belong in. Let your guy fight for a bit longer to see how long he holds on to that 0 you value so much.

Dricus hasn't faced a Pereira, a LHW equivelant of Jan or Adesanya himself yet. So far he had a good win against a Whittaker with a lot of miles on him, and a controversial decision over Strickland. We'll see about this guy soon.

 

[rjmbrd]

You're getting very close to one of the worst takes I've seen here in a while.

Then you're not qualified to discuss what you're reading here or just being bombastic.

I'm far from an Adesanya fan myself but it's beyond doubt that he's a top 3 ATG MW in the UFC

I'm a Adesanya fan, he's one of the most exciting middleweights over the last generation. Not that this should have any bias in discussing body of work, apparently it does for you?

He is not a top 3 "all time" in the UFC, that is absurd recency bias. Izzy is most definitely a top 3 all-time middleweight, which is a very different thing.

and you're comparing him to a new champ who is there for 4 years and mustered up a 7-0 record right when he's in the middle of his streak.

This is one way of describing the undefeated world champion who murdered Robbert Whittaker and beat Strickland one fight after Sean beat the absolute shit out of Israel.

Read this out loud and see if you recognize how bad it sounds.

Adesanya has more top 10 wins, more top 5 wins, more wins against future ATG's and is a 2-time champ which is rare and yes he has more losses since he's been through the entire division and even a division he didn't belong in. Let your guy fight for a bit longer to see how long he holds on to that 0 you value so much.

Izzy has two signature wins that have held up really well - Whittaker and Poatan. He also got TKO'd by Poatan, and Strickland beat the ever loving dogshit out of him. He was besmirched in his attempt at 205.

His other wins are generally solid and a fine body of work. This is pretty much what you have with Driccus, but less overall fights in the time span. Izzy didn't trip and fall and get 3 losses, its because he's been around longer.

This isn't complicated stuff to unpack, they have similar demonstration of capabilities.

Dricus hasn't faced a Pereira, a LHW equivelant of Jan or Adesanya himself yet. So far he had a good win against a Whittaker with a lot of miles on him, and a controversial decision over Strickland. We'll see about this guy soon.

Whittaker is unequivocally the career accomplishment of Izzy and its not close. DDP also owns this same win and he murdered him.

Sean beat the dogshit out of Izzy, then in his very next fight lost a decision to DDP.

What else is there to index?

Styles make fights and I like Izzy for this. If he's well prepared I probably favor him to beat Driccus, hard to say until we see him in there.