Israel Adesanya hints at injury suffered pre-UFC 305 title fight after theory from Alex Pereira

Israel Adesanya targets UFC return before year's end: 'I can't wait to do it again'

Former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has hinted he may have been carrying an injury into his title fight return at UFC 305 earlier this month, after former-foe, Alex Pereira noted the usually kick-heavy striker failed to utilize his lower limbs to great effect in his return to action.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder the banner of the promotion, headlined UFC 305 in Perth, Australia earlier this month — taking on divisional champion and arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya was aiming to finish Dricus Du Plessis in round 4: 'I was like he is done'

And suffering a second consecutive loss for the first time in his decorated mixed martial arts career, City Kickboxing star, Adesanya was stopped with a fourth round rear-naked choke submission — dropping his first stoppage loss via that method in his career in combat sports.

READ MORE:  Jon Jones Snaps Back at Fans Over PED Accusations After Showing Off His Shredded Physique

And earlier this week, Israel Adesanya’s former opponent, Pereira speculated that the former champion was likely suffering from an undisclosed injury ahead of his fight with du Plessis at UFC 305.

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya UFC 305 KISS

“Of course, I don’t know how (Israel) Adesanya was,” Alex Pereira said on his YouTube channel. “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. You could see he kicked very little.”

Israel Adesanya hints at injury setback ahead of UFC 305

And reacting to Pereira’s claims, Adesanya appeared to give those theories some real credence, without showing his hand completely.

READ MORE:  ‘I Felt It’ Alex Pereira Responds to Being Hurt by Rountree Jr. in Round 2 of UFC 307 Main Event
Israel Adesanya barrels down P4P rankings following submission loss at UFC 305

It’s weird how this guy (Alex Pereira) knows me… it’s like we’ve spent hours studying each other’s moves and fought multiple times or sumn’,” Israel Adesanya posted on his official X account. “I mean that.”

Himself slated to return in the main event of UFC 307, former middleweight champion, Pereira is set to defend his undisputed light heavyweight championship in a title fight against the surging knockout artist, Khalil Rountree in in October in Salt Lake City, Utah.