Israel Adesanya has suggested that he was injured during his defeat to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.
Adesanya was beaten by submission, with Du Plessis executing a rear naked choke to secure victory.
Alex Pereira, who has had a lengthy rivalry with Adesanya, spotted that the 35-year-old stopped doing something during the fight.
Adesanya subsequently suggested that Pereira’s suspicions were true.
Pereira had suggested that Adesanya was somewhat restricted because of an injury.
In addition, Pereira stated that he noticed that Adesanya had stopped throwing leg kicks.
Israel Adesanya has strongly hinted that he was INJURED for his defeat by Dricus Du Plessis
Adesanya was beaten by submission, with Du Plessis executing a rear naked choke to secure victory.
He said: ‘Of course I don’t know how Adesanya was. When we are there, we don’t talk about injuries, don’t talk about problems.
‘We are there, we want to fight, want to win. No excuses. Maybe Adesanya had an injury, I don’t know. You could see he kicked very little.
‘That inside kick of Adesanya is very good. Not everyone can do that, but he can do it very well. It was a good weapon and he didn’t continue doing that inside kick.
‘Even Dricus said it bothered him, it also bothered me. I said it before for the people who asked me. He didn’t continue to do it. When he is only throwing hands, I think it’s easier for the opponent to protect themselves, or to get out.
‘It was more boxing there, so it was easier for him.’
Alex Pereira commented that he had noticed that Adesanya had stopped throwing leg kicks
Adesanya appeared to confirm that he was injured as he responded by writing on X: ‘It’s weird how this guy knows me…it’s like we’ve spent hours studying eachother’s moves and fought multiple times or sumn’. I mean that.’
There had been much tension between Adesanya and Du Plessis at their pre-fight press conference.
Adesanya was asked whether he would visit Africa in the near future, and responded that he is planning to take his belt to Nigeria and South Africa.
Du Plessis then replied by saying: ‘Are you taking the servants with you when you’re going back?’ suggesting that the New Zealander grew up rich.
Adesanya exploded and asked: What the f*** are you even on about?
‘You don’t even know anything about my story. You have no idea who the f*** I am.’
