New Zealand Warriors captain Tohu Harris details humbling experience of facing Israel Adesanya
New Zealand Warriors captain Tohu Harris had words of high praise for Israel Adesanya. The NRL (National Rugby League) star recently partook in a wrestling session with Adesanya and revealed that he was truly humbled by 'The Last Stylebender.'
As reported by News Hub, Israel Adesanya accompanied his City Kickboxing teammate and UFC flyweight athlete Kai Kara-France to a wrestling session with the NRL team New Zealand Warriors.
Several NRL teams have lately been including wrestling in their training routine to help improve their performance in the rough-and-tumble sport of rugby. Kai Kara-France alongside MMA fighter and wrestler John Vake have reportedly taken up the responsibility of being the Warriors' wrestling coaches.
The Warriors' Freddy Lussick asserted that training with Adesanya was "surreal" and that they had no idea he was coming to train with them. Lussick highlighted that Adesanya wanted to train with them and added that it was a great experience to have 'The Last Stylebender' around.
Furthermore, the Warriors' captain Tohu Harris suggested that Israel Adesanya dominated him in the wrestling realm. Expressing his respect for the MMA megastar, Harris stated:
"I was no chance in hell of getting him down... I got mangled up there a couple of times but it was fun, it was a good experience."
He added:
"Being able to go up against someone that high level in their field, it's always a good experience. I hope he gets to come back and towel a few of us up again."
Potential timeline for Israel Adesanya's next fight
In his most recent octagon appearance, Israel Adesanya defeated archnemesis Alex Pereira via second-round KO to reclaim the UFC middleweight title. The Adesanya-Pereira matchup transpired in April. Presently, the consensus is that Adesanya's next title defense could take place at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, on September 10th, 2023.
CKED 
UT C
LD!KN😲CKED 😱UT C😵LD!
@stylebender finished Alex Pereira!!!
#UFC287 https://t.co/fSXrRGzaWY
During the UFC Vegas 73 post-fight press conference earlier this month, UFC president Dana White was asked about Adesanya's next fight.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is scheduled to face Dricus du Plessis in a number-one contender's matchup at UFC 290 on July 8th, 2023. On that note, MMA Mania's Alex Behunin asked White about that fight's winner potentially facing Adesanya in Australia in September, to which he answered:
"We'll make that announcement soon."
It has already been announced that the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis will fight for the middleweight title next. Considering the quick turnaround for the victor relative to UFC 293, and Dana White's recent comments on Israel Adesanya's next fight being close to finalized, 'The Last Stylebender's next challenge remains unclear.
I asked about the possible 2 month turnaround for Whittaker/Du Plessis against Izzy for UFC 293 - and Dana teased an announcement https://t.co/xdpS4RC9Jv