UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been enduring his fair share of criticism lately. In particular, accusations of putting on boring fights have followed Adesanya across his past three title defenses. Adesanya told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that this issue is really down to the waning attention spans of the “Tiktok Generation”.
“[I was criticized] because I’m the champ, I’m the great one. I’m the one that-and I’ve talked to everyone about this, even our boy Georges [St-Pierre]. We talked in-depth about this kind of stuff and it happened to him, it happened to Silva, even Jon Jones it happened to him. In boxing, it’s happened to a lot of greats, when you’re just so great and you keep winning, people want to shake the snow globe a little bit so they just start throwing s*** and look at what sticks.
Adesanya Slams Criticism From “TikTok Generation”
Not many people in this life have ever been in my position and would understand. You might see it, you might watch it on TV, but not many have been in this life in my position. He has. I was there, I was a fan when people were like, ‘He’s so boring. He just takes people down.” I’m like, ‘Bro, this guy’s messing people up.’
Same with Silva, I was there as a fan when people were talking s*** about the Thales Leites fight, UFC 97. I was like, ‘Did you see the first three rounds? Did you see the styles he used? Are you not watching what I’m watching?
Yeah, the last two rounds, maybe he coasted, but did you not enjoy the show?’ People who were there live should be blessed that they watched an artist like that perform live, but we’re in the Tik Tok generation now. You know how it is.”
Adesanya is set to face Alex Pereira, who boasts two victories over “The Last Stylebender” in kickboxing, in the main event for UFC 281 this weekend. Adesanya is expecting to “smoke” Pereira, just as he expects minimal fanfare.
“This is the generation we’re in. I smoke this next guy, ‘He’s the greatest of all time!’ Two weeks later, some other pay-per-view happens and then [mimics excited roar]. So I never really attach myself to other people’s opinions. Like I said, I’m human, I listen to them, but I don’t hold onto them. I just hear them and I’m like, ‘Hm, OK, cool.’”
Is Israel Adesanya right about his critics? Let us know in the comments.
