"I can't think of anybody else in the sport" - Chael Sonnen discusses how no opponent has managed to make Israel Adesanya wrestle till date
Chael Sonnen recently expressed his thoughts about Israel Adesanya's fighting style and physical attributes, which have allowed the middleweight champion to fight his opponents on the feet without getting taken down and made to wrestle.
'The American Gangster' recalled that some of Adesanya's past opponents with wrestling credentials, like Derek Brunson and Yoel Romero, also failed to take him down. He praised 'The Last Stylebender', stating that even when his opponents try to wrestle him, they fail to wear him out and he finds a way back up.
Sonnen pointed out that Adesanya's ability to maintain his range and distance is unique. He stated in a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel:
"It takes an immense amount of skill. I can't think of anybody else in the sport where I could provide the same example."
Watch Chael Sonnen's video from the 10:24 mark:
Chael Sonnen talks about how Israel Adesanya losing his belt to Alex Pereira would be a problem for the UFC
Israel Adesanya will face Alex Pereira at UFC 281 to defend his middleweight title for the sixth time. The matchup has garnered a lot of excitement owing to the history the two fighters share. Pereira has two kickboxing wins over 'The Last Stylebender' including a knockout, the only time Adesanya has been stopped in his combat sports career.
In another video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen discussed the possibility of Adesanya losing his middleweight title to Pereira and the effect this would have on the UFC.
'The American Gangster' believes that Adesanya's marketablility and promotional value cannot be replicated by Pereira and that would severely affect the UFC's ability to sell fights. He stated that he does not think Pereira has done enough to promote the fight and that the Brazilian has "done nothing to help Adesanya, the industry or himself." Sonnen said:
"[Pereira] has a job to come out and sell and build this fight and if he wins this fight, he now takes the division on his shoulders. If he’s going to take the reins from Adesanya, you gotta look at everything that Adesanya is doing. You gotta be able to replace that and more."
Watch Chael Sonnen's video from the 1:34 mark below: