At UFC 234, Israel Adesanya will face former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Realistically, what can Adesanya earn with a win? A number of things, but there’s a potential for something special. Given his skill set, Adesanya can be the first to not only beat Silva with strikes, but do so without controversy or flair.
Chris Weidman’s knockout win was legitimate, but marred by controversy from Silva’s bizarre antics. Michael Bisping overwhelmed Silva with striking, but no one has put together a winning combination of decisive violence with dramatic flair in the striking department when facing Silva. Here’s my argument for why the Nigerian Kiwi could be the first.
I don't know man, do we remember Larry Holmes (specifically) for beating Muhammad Ali – being the first guy to really decidedly beat him. No ! we remember him as a great fighter for his other exploits. Beating an old fighter who should not be fighting is no glory.
Please let Anderson take roids
I hate how people talk about the second Weidman fight as some sort of fluke. So apparently catching someone and KOing them with a good shot, like DC-Stipe or TJ-Cejudo is some kind of decisive victory, but checking a kick and handing someone a potentially career ending injury is a fluke? wtf is the difference?
Silva was "clowning" in the Weidman fight because he wasn't getting anything going. Weidman jabbed, feinted and kept his feet under him and made it impossible for Silva to get anything going with his counters. That's why Silva kept upping the ante with weirder moves (crescent kick), psychological games (patting head after round), and increasingly exaggerated taunting. Weidman refused to give him what he wanted and as a result Silva was herded into a point where he was out of position and got dropped.
Whats with the thumbnails
Adesanya has great footwork and kicks, but his boxing is underwhelming and he's far from a complete martial artist.
Nice article Lucas.
the fat we american wrestler goes down in 2
I rather pay to see MVP Vs Adesanya … Anderson is no challenge to Israel A. … why does Luke believe in a competitive challenge between those two fighters… I can't understand. I maid understand after the fight. But, of course, at this moment I doubt it.
Too much weight is being put on this Israel vs Silva fight. Israel will probably beat him and look good but his record is paper thin at this point and outside of the hype the UFC portray, this guy will still not have fought anyone that heralds considerable respect.