In the blood-soaked canvas of UFC history, where legends are forged and dreams are both made and shattered, few voices have narrated more iconic moments than Joe Rogan. His trademark “OH!” has punctuated the most spectacular finishes in MMA folklore. But ask the man who’s witnessed everything from Anderson Silva’s matrix-like movements to Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise about his most cherished moment, and he will transport you to the electric atmosphere of UFC 287. There, under the Florida lights, Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya wrote another chapter in their storied rivalry – a narrative that had already traversed continents and crossed multiple combat sports.

Just a few months prior, at UFC 281, Pereira stunned the world with a brutal fifth-round knockout, dethroning the Nigerian-Kiwi and handing Izzy his first loss in the UFC. Fast forward to Miami in 2023, where Pereira, now the reigning middleweight champion, was set to defend his title against Adesanya. This time, the Yoruba was more determined than ever to reclaim his belt and avenge the losses that had haunted him for years.

Against all odds, Izzy knocked out ‘Poatan’ in the second round, delivering a moment that Rogan called a “classic.” The UFC commentator recently reminisced about this iconic moment during episode #2276 of his podcast, speaking with his longtime friend Felipe Esparza. Reflecting on the fight, Rogan recalled, “One of my favorite ones was when Israel Adesanya had his second UFC fight against Alex Pereira. He knocked him down, knocked him out cold with a beautiful, clean right hand, then finished him on the ground and fired off three arrows into his body. Yeah, remember that guy? I mean, that was a fucking classic moment.”

“This is my favorite moment of anybody after they won a fight because it was real in the moment from a guy who’s the fucking Boogeyman. Dude, Alex Pereira is the Boogeyman.” The UFC commentator added.

Certainly, it was an iconic moment for Adesanya, the UFC, and, of course, for Rogan. Moreover, moments after knocking Pereira out cold, Adesanya seized the moment to mock his rival, mimicking his signature archery celebration—a gesture the Brazilian famously performs during his walkout.

The UFC commentator also praised the Nigerian-Kiwi’s powerful post-fight speech. After Rogan entered the Octagon for the winner’s interview, Izzy seized the microphone without hesitation and delivered an inspirational, heartfelt address. He spoke passionately, saying, “Fortify your mind and feel this level of happiness one time in your life. I’m blessed to be able to feel this shit again and again and again and again and again.”

Adesanya’s words were a reflection of his journey, particularly overcoming the adversity of his first defeat to Pereira. Along the way, he aimed at his critics and haters.

Israel Adesanya fires back at ‘washed’ claims from critics for losing at UFC Saudi Arabia

At 35 years old, Israel Adesanya is no longer the same dominant fighter he was just two years ago. Once feared for his victories over top fighters like Robert Whittaker, Anderson Silva, Yoel Romero, and Alex Pereira, Izzy had not competed in a non-title bout since February 2019. However, following his victory over Pereira in 2023, the Nigerian export’s career began to unravel. For the first time, he’s found himself on a three-fight losing streak, with four losses in his last five Octagon appearances.

Recent defeats include a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland, a submission defeat by Dricus Du Plessis, and his most recent setback against the now #1 ranked middleweight Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Despite starting strong in the opening round, Adesanya’s fight ended when Imavov knocked him out in the second round, sparking speculation from fans and critics who have labeled him as “washed.”

In a recent YouTube Q&A, Izzy responded to the criticism, saying, “They call me washed. But how are you gonna call me washed when you haven’t even been in the laundry? Like you haven’t gotten dirty, what have you done? That’s bars.”

What’s your opinion on Israel Adesanya’s career trajectory? Is it the end of the road for him, or do you think he still has more to prove in the world of combat sports? Can he make a comeback and get back into title contention, or has he already solidified his legacy? Share your thoughts below.