Evading ‘Worse’ Title Loss Mindset Like ‘Young’ Ronda Rousey, Israel Adesanya Blames Misguidance for the Ex-UFC Queen’s Downfall

UFC 281 is in the books, however, fans are still buzzing from what transpired at the event. In one of the biggest upsets of the year, Israel Adesanya lost his middleweight to Alex Pereira. Moreover, after being dominated for four rounds, the knockout from ‘Poatan’ came out of nowhere in the fifth round.

Adesanya, on the other hand, was not happy with the stoppage. He believed he could have survived the onslaught that Pereira was putting on him. However, gracious in his defeat, Stylebender said that he believes in his coaches when they tell him that it was an excellent stoppage.

Meanwhile, fans were curious to know how Adesanya would carry himself in defeat since he’s not too accustomed to it. The Nigeria-born fighter answered the fans during an interview during the MMA hour with Ariel Helwani.

Israel Adesanya has not been ‘humbled’

During the interview, Helwani asked Izzy whether he’s been humble. The former champ quickly answered, “F*ck no, I’ve always been humble.” Helwani then reiterated himself and asked, “yeah I know, I’m just wondering if you feel any differently about yourself,”

ALSO READ: As ‘Brother’ Israel Adesanya Suffers the Same Fate, Kamaru Usman Makes Their Future Plans Very Clear

Adesanya enquired, “any differently in what way?”. To which Helwani said, “you know sometimes someone suffers a setback and you’re like you start doubting yourself.” The last Stylebender replied, “Oh no, hell no, even more confident.”

Helwani, who was visibly surprised to hear the answer, said, “Really? How?” To which Izzy said, “I’m me.” It impressed Helwani with the way the middleweight handled himself after a loss.

Ronda Rousey was the worst at handling a loss 

Helwani spoke about how, at times, champions don’t carry themselves well after losing their belt. Moreover, he cited the example of former bantamweight champion, Ronda Rousey and how she was the worst out of everyone. He said, “No one has ever handled a moment like this worse than Ronda. Crazy enough seven years ago today.”

The journalist further continued, “… you don’t need to handle it like this. Like no one thinks less of you because you lost.” Adesanya replied, saying, “I think it’s just the pressure she put on herself. She holds herself to the highest standards. So yeah, everyone’s different.”

Furthermore, ‘The Last Stylebender’ said, “maybe that’s what made her feel better. Maybe she didn’t have the right guidance. Who knows? I know what you mean. I think so even the thing with I think TMZ back then, she was younger as well and maybe just didn’t have the right guidance.”

He concluded by saying, “I’m sure, maybe now, something like that happens. She’d have a different way of handling it.”

What do you think about the way in which Adesanya handled himself after the loss compared to Rousey’s? Let us know.

WATCH THIS STORY: UFC 281: Pereira Stuns Adesanya, Poirier Wins Like a Gladiator at Mike Tyson & Sylvester Stallone Graced MSG