Some of the noticeable adjustments Izzy made from UFC 281 to UFC 287.
This guy has a smart team and the way they came up with the UFC 287 gameplan is something worth applauding.
Some of the adjustments were subtle but paid dividends.
Let's take a look
3 years ago: Izzy returned to Middleweight against Vettori
This fight is so underrated, but Izzy showed he's levels above Vettori. Clear 5 -0.
The biggest clear adjustment was he stopped leaning back which cost him against Jan as it left him open to takedowns.
Great fight.
Am I the only one seeing this ??
Whoever beats lsrael Adesanya they lose their next fight
Jan lost his next fight after he defeated Izzy at UFC 259
Alex Pereira got brutally KOEd at UFC 287 by lzzy
Sean Strickland lost the belt tonight.
Because it's a very interesting stat
It's crazy seeing people on here start switching up in real time now that Izzy is about to return!
You can't be a part-time Izzy fan. It don't work like that.
Alex Pereira for as good as a striker he is he doesn't understand when the ball is in his court and when it isn't.
Izzy made sure to give a similar look from UFC 281, by the time he realized it was a trap, it was too late. And this was Izzy improvising with the gameplan he had.
Israel Adesanya said this a year ago. I don't really like ruining Alex's moments, but him calling Izzy out and people on here talking crap just proved this even more.
"The belt does not make me, I make the belt" - Israel Adesanya.
Be offensive in the clinch. Alex at UFC 281 was being a bully in the clinch by imposing his presence.
But if he's clinching, he can't lean back to avoid shots so they made an adjustment to be offensive in the clinch but not against the cage.
@Super_Sodiq
definitely has got to be in top 5 best MMA youtube channels. It's original, funny and has a unique flavor to it.
Shout from the champ Via
@freestylebender
Kick the wrist.
Alex and Izzy are different but one clear difference is power. So to counter attack that they devised a genius plan.
Kick the wrist, numb the hand so they can't punch hard enough, and defensively they carry it low so you have a passage for your punches.
No grappling. This is the most important adjustment they made, as by grappling it affects their cardio and against Alex they can't be at any disadvantage.
Plus the experience from their previous encounters showed that they can hurt him, so they didn't need to grapple.
Even though you don't like Izzy. This is 100% facts.
He gains nothing by fighting Alex again. He won in the most epic way possible, and on the biggest stage ever.
Unless you are a "poatard" as he states.
At UFC 281, he was doing a lot of holding to neutralize the offense of Alex but by holding you aren't being offensive.
Adjustment: Punch or be offensive while going forward, Alex has a tendency of move back in the a straight line. So that keeps Izzy off the cage.
The same people that say Izzy doesn't deserve a title shot
Were in support of Colby getting one.
Let's not forget Strickland didn't deserve it either at UFC 293.
Izzy lost, steps aside, Dricus gets his and wins.
So it only works for fighters you like and those you don't 🤔?
The other adjustments were used to suppress the forward pressure.
- Use of distance body kicks and punches to make Alex withdraw.
- Ensuring to always win an exchange by throwing last.
- short steps footwork along the black line, which actually prolongs the footwork
I always believed that Israel would only lose due to his striking, he's just special that many don't understand that fact, given that due to his speed and physical attributes he gets away with many things he shouldn't, you can't imagine!
"DONT SLEEP ON ISRAEL ADESANYA.
His best performances usually come when his back is against the wall.
When he's doubted.
When he's counted out.
This man is a showman, an entertainer, and a world class fighter.
If he beats Du Plessis, he will become the first 3x MW champ"
NOTE
If you watched all the fights between them, Izzy best offense comes from the Orthodox stance, so he switches to southpaw to eliminate the left hook momentarily but then goes orthodox to be offensive. He's got offense in southpaw but it's primarily defense
for this opponent
Now that he lost to Strickland, that fight is a massive opportunity for him to grow.
Every point he was vulnerable best be assured is gonna be a trap, and whoever fights him next needs to know when to back off.
This is a very genius way to improve without compromise of style.
Learn from your mistakes.
This is what makes Israel so dangerous, he says things in media that many label as excuses but always takes his losses as huge lessons
At 281, he tried to rely on his head movement, which was his last resort of defense as his footwork was compromised
This counter is still very dangerous but it's been modified. And to be precise, he actually showed the modifications at UFC 293.
But that's a topic for another time.
"...look how many people are calling me out, and am not even the champion anymore..." - Israel Adesanya
This is gonna annoy many but he's speaking the truth.
Via
@TheoVon
podcast
NOTE
If you watched him long enough you will realize he has many forms of defense.
- leaning back.
- high guard but when he has to.
- head kick lean back defense.
- footwork, constantly moving.
- head movement.
- hand traps
- subtle adjustments depending on the opponent.
Jamahal Hill confidence is next level. Y'all don't underestimate him
"..he's the two division glory champion, two division UFC champion, kickboxing great, hands of stone, bad man, just a monster, dangerous, scary dude..he's all those things
but watch what I do to him...." 🥶
Interesting Rapid fire answers by Izzy.
Who could you see yourself being friends with when your career is over?
Answer: Rob, Gday mate! 😁
Finish the sentence
Dricus Du Plessis is ?
Answer: Dricus Du Plessis is not a real one
Via
@MensHealthAU
IG
I really can't believe people are fuming and mad at Izzy for a joke his brother made.
Like cmon man. He's not supposed to laugh now?
Via
@freestylebender
YT
Whoever says Izzy's knockout over Alex was a fluke is coping and never recovered from UFC 287.
And factually speaking many won't ever recover with that attitude.
Here's the myth debunked.
In MMA history, Kamaru Usman, Alex Volkanovski, and Israel Adesanya will be remembered !
Unfortunately for you typing hate comments and posts, nobody will
Sean Strickland really needs therapy, because in such a situation acting tough doesn't work.
For him it's so unfortunate that this comes out at a time where he had just got the belt and that recognition, maybe it's the signal he needed to seek help.
The only valid reason MMA fans hate Izzy is because he beat many of your favorite fighters.
So you make up all weird things even non fighting related to cover fuel your hate.
Plain simple...
It's so unfortunate how people are doing everything to hate on Izzy calling him a hypocrite, yet
Alex's son mocks him in KB, and at UFC 281 embedded Alex himself involves the kid in the trash talk, it was funny.
Izzy reminds the kid at UFC 287, he becomes evil.🤦
"... I like Alex , it's the poatards .... I respect him,... he's a special fighter " - Israel Adesanya
The "poatards" I don't think they are even Alex fans.
Via
@MightyMouse
Youtube