“I Had Planned…” – Israel Adesanya Reveals How He Had Worse Post-Fight Celebration in Mind for Alex Pereira at UFC 287

Israel Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight championship after defeating Alex Pereira in their rematch at UFC 287. He overcame the toughest opponent in his entire MMA career so far by knocking him out in the second round of their main event fight. Izzy followed it up with a memorable celebration. However, ‘The Last Stylebender’ had another celebration in mind.

The Nigerian-born Kiwi fighter became the first person to win UFC’s middleweight title twice. Adesanya has joined the upper echelon of UFC fighters. Moreover, he sealed his win with a celebration that only Israel Adesanya can perform.

Israel Adesanya had another celebration as his option

‘The Last Stylebender’ mentioned how he came up with his bow-and-arrow celebration. One of his teammates saw him striking the pose backstage and took a picture of it. That’s when Adesanya decided to go ahead and perform that celebration. He said, “Backstage, Jeff caught a photo of me like (bow and arrow holding pose).” 

Adesanya stated how he asked referee Dan Miragliotta if he can have his moment inside the octagon if he defeats Alex Pereira. The middleweight champion said, “‘I am not gonna touch him. I am not gonna try and attack him. But I need you to just let me have my moment,’ and all he said was, ‘You have got it, boss.'”

Israel Adesanya mentioned that he never planned on touching ‘Poatan’ after the fight was over. He added that he also had another celebration in mind that would have been too family-friendly. ‘The Last Stylebender’ said, “No matter what you do, I am not touching the guy. I could be like (showing vulgar signs). Like, that was another one I had planned.”

Adesanya claimed that these things just come to him without even thinking much about it. He added, “It was in the simulation. But I don’t know. It just comes to me.”

‘The Last Stylebender’ created history at UFC 287

In addition to becoming the first-ever two-time middleweight champion in UFC, Izzy also created the record for winning the second-most title fights in the middleweight division with eight victories. He is three fights behind UFC 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Anderson Silva, who has eleven title-fight wins in his name.

Israel Adesanya also has thirteen knockdowns to his name, which is tied with Anderson Silva, in the middleweight division. Another feat that he achieved was a total of eight fight-night bonuses in UFC, tied with Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker in second place behind again, Anderson Silva, who has 12 fight-night bonuses.

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It is safe to say that Israel Adesanya had a very eventful UFC 287. He has registered wins over all the top five fighters in the division. He created many records and overcame his biggest hurdle.

Who do you think Adesanya will fight next? Let us know in the comments down below.

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