{"id":22419,"date":"2025-02-22T19:12:41","date_gmt":"2025-02-22T18:12:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=22419"},"modified":"2025-02-22T19:12:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-22T18:12:43","slug":"israel-adesanya-gives-his-take-on-the-monster-he-created-with-his-backhanded-comments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/israel-adesanya-gives-his-take-on-the-monster-he-created-with-his-backhanded-comments\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel Adesanya Gives His Take On The \u2018Monster\u2019 He Created With His Backhanded Comments"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back in 2018, Israel Adesanya was quickly climbing the UFC<\/a> ranks with his flashy striking. Fresh off the kickboxing circuit, he had everything going for him except one tiny detail. Two losses to Alex Pereira in kickboxing kept haunting him, including a brutal knockout that went viral.<\/p>

However, instead of staying quiet, Adesanya did what he does best – he talked. He dismissed Pereira as just some guy who would end up in a bar telling stories about beating him. Little did he know those words would spark one of the most compelling rivalries in UFC history.<\/p>

Also Read: Shavkhat Rakhmonov Injury Update: What happened to Shavkhat Rakhmonov?<\/a><\/p>

How Izzy Awakened Poatan!<\/h2>

That casual dismissal lit a fire under Alex Pereira that turned into an inferno. The Brazilian traded his kickboxing gloves for MMA ones and embarked on a mission. He eventually was signed to the UFC in 2021, and he was on a collision course with his former rival.<\/p>

‘Poatan’ stormed through the UFC ranks like a freight train, eventually catching up to Adesanya in spectacular fashion. The story came full circle when Pereira knocked out Adesanya for the middleweight title in 2022, proving he was far from just a barroom storyteller. Adesanya got his revenge in the next fight, but the score still stands at 3-1 in favor of Pereira.<\/p>

Now, looking back with a mix of respect and amusement, Israel Adesanya admitted to the ‘monster he created. He doesn’t regret it though – why would he? Their rivalry gave fans two incredible UFC fights, with Adesanya finally getting his revenge at UFC 287. This is what he had to say:<\/p>

\n

“Also I don’t because it motivated him. I love this f***ing story, eh? It’s just the best. He’s actually at a bar drinking, and he’s like ‘ohh Chama’, he was already an MMA fighter but he decides to take it seriously. Then he gets to the UFC to fight me and chase me. So I don’t regret it, no. I’m glad I did because it motivated him and look what we’ve created. I created a monster.”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>

\n

Israel Adesanya says he doesn’t regret calling Alex Pereira “that guy in a bar”

“I don’t regret it because I was right… I’m glad I did because it motivated him.

Look what we’ve created. I created a monster.”

🎥 @stylebender<\/a> #UFC<\/a> #MMA<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/q0YCPTLcRO<\/a><\/p>— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>