Israel Adesanya comments on Francis Ngannou's UFC exit for the first time, makes prediction about potential return
Israel Adesanya commented on Francis Ngannou's UFC departure for the first time since the former heavyweight champion declined the promotion's contract offer.
During his media availability at UFC 284, Adesanya was asked about 'The Predator's departure from the promotion, and 'The Last Stylebender' gave his thoughts on some of the demands. He mentioned that he supports Ngannou in maintaining a strong stance on certain demands during the negotiations.
He said:
"I'm not gonna harp on but he's right, it's little things. He's [Francis Ngannou] asking for things that should be mandatory. He wasn't asking for crazy ridiculous divaious demands...He's not being a diva, he's asking for reasonable demands, and I feel like he should've got them." [4:16 - 4:49]
'Izzy' also brought up that he's confident that the former heavyweight champion will eventually return to the UFC. Adesanya mentioned that after Ngannou competes in a boxing bout, he'll return to the promotion, saying:
"I think he'll come back. He's the greatest heavyweight we've ever had. Not just like even just like to the UFC, in history. He left on his own terms, with the belt, never lost it and yeah, I feel he's gonna do what he has to do in boxing or wherever else, but it's a great hit to the company, I know he'll be back." [5:06 - 5:25]
Adesanya remains supportive of the former UFC heavyweight champion and his intention to compete in boxing. It will be interesting to see how Francis Ngannou performs in boxing and whether he intends to return to the UFC.
Check out the full video:
Israel Adesanya is confident he will defeat Alex Pereira in their rematch
UFC 287 will be headlined by the rematch between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya in Miami, Florida.
Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal will serve as the co-main event. https://t.co/xQmR1FiRgp
Israel Adesanya will have the opportunity to regain the middleweight championship when he challenges Alex Pereira at UFC 287, which takes place in Miami, Florida, on April 8.
During his media scrum with reporters at UFC 284, 'Izzy' mentioned that he is confident that he will defeat Pereira in the rematch, saying:
"Just keep the same energy, yeah, cause I'm always beating him until I'm not. So, I'm just gonna make sure I keep beating him the whole way through." [1:01 - 1:08]
The bout will be a rematch of their encounter at UFC 281 last November, which saw 'Poatan' come from behind and defeat 'Izzy' via fifth-round TKO to become the new middleweight champion. Their title fight at UFC 287 will be their fourth bout in combat sports.
Pereira got the better of 'Stylebender' in both their kickboxing bouts and made it three straight when he defeated him at UFC 281.