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Former UFC champion Adesanya says he was not good at football or basketball, preaches peace after loss to Pereira.
New Zealand professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer Israel Mobolaji Adesanya has reflected on his professional journey.
The 33-year-old Adesanya in an interview with American international monthly men's magazine GQ explained how he became a professional combatant.
In the interview, Adesanya revealed that he was not good at other sports such as basketball and football while growing up.
Adesanya's journey to the UFC
Now known as the Stylebender, Adesanya tried to imitate the great musician Michael Jackson by dancing to “Wanna Be Startin' Somethin’ at a school talent show.
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He said, “It’s a long song and I danced the whole thing. And, uh, I shouldn’t have, in hindsight.
"I definitely should have cut it short. But I didn’t know how to perform or have stage presence.
"So I just got on stage and then people were like, ‘The fuck is he doing on stage? What are you going to do?’”
It was after the show Adesanya realized that he could sway people with the way he moved.
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Adesanya and MMA
Adesanya explained that his fascination with MMA came through a movie he watched at the age of 18.
The martial arts movie from Thailand starring Tony Jaa would change his perspective on life.
The movie inspired Adesanya to sign up to a local Muay Thai gym and he found out he was good at it after he joined for his first class.
He said,“The coach there was looking at me because he held the kick shield, and he wanted me to roundhouse kick it.”
Adesanya on Pereira
Adesanya suffered lost his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight title to Brazilian Alex Pereira at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Adesanya has a history with Pereira as he suffered losses to the Brazilian twice in kickboxing tournaments.
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He revealed that he is at peace with the defeat and is looking forward to what is next.
Adesanya said, “I’m grateful. What a life. What a moment. What a crazy ending, similar to the last time. The same story.”
It is now expected that Adesanya returns to the UFC octagon later this year.
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