Israel Adesanya Breaks Silence, Following Defeat At Madison Square

Former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has reacted to his defeat at UFC 281 at the Madison Square Garden on Sunday against Alex Pereira.

Adesanya slipped in the center of the arena while leading the scorecards three rounds to one. He made an effort to become better, but it was too late.

Pereira (7-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) stopped the then-champion via TKO in the fifth round to claim victory over him for the third fight. Adesanya suffered his first defeat by stoppage at middleweight with this setback.

Adesanya said: “I was fine. First thing I said to the referee was that I was fine, I was still lucid. But yeah, sh*t happens,” the Nigerian-New Zealander told reporters in the post-fight press conference.

“Well, I talked to my coaches and I trust them. But I was fine, my eyes might have rolled back a little bit but I was lucid.

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“My ego would say at least let me go out on my shield but I don’t think I would have gone out because I was still there. He might have gone on to win that round but I would still be champion.”

Adesanya, optimistic about a rematch stated: “Of course, this is my third fight in 10 months. Every time I fight, I risked losing (the belt). I put it on the line because I am not trying to do it just once and this is what happens, but again, dare to be great, and I am.

“Right now, I am just focused on rehydrating and doing the obligations.”