Brendan Loughnane wants Israel Adesanya time to call time on his legendary combat sport career.
The former PFL -Fedweight champion watched from home while Israel Adesanya was eliminated by Nassourdine Imavov in two rounds in UFC Saudi -Aarabia, which took place in the ANB Arena in Ridyah on Saturday evening.
A large part of the fans called for 'The Last Stylebender' retired after his third consecutive UFC loss.
The ex-half-weight champion, however, was on 'I'll Be Back' in a post-fight social media statement.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Brendan Loughnane believes that Israel Adesanya should retire
Brendan Loughnane is a big fan of Adesanya, but he wants to see that the New Zealander calls it a career.
“Here is my view of the situation of Israel Adesanya,” Loughnane said on his Talksport MMA -Podcast.
'Let's get MMA from the comparison. Before that he was a world -class kick boxer, he also had professional boxing competitions. Do you know how many fights and how many camps this man has had? Do you know how much money this man should have in his bank now? “
Loughnane does not believe that Adesanya has the same hunger he once had. The Englishman insists that this can be a big problem against emerging contenders who are desperate to make a name for themselves.
Loughnane added: “He is now in a very difficult stage. People like Imavov starve, they are absolutely chewing. Caio Borralho, who is chewing the bit. Khamzat Chimaev, who is chewing the bit. I just don't see Adesanya fascinating anymore.
“I feel that he has had an incredible amount of fighting for a man of 35. I personally think, after the way it ended, also the way it ended against Dricus, you don't want to be that guy who was a champion And then Tko'd gets back-to-back-to-back.
“Personally, I would like to see Adesanya pick it up because he has nothing to prove anymore in this sport.
'I set him the second best [middleweight of all time] Just behind Anderson Silva. I have long admired his work, and I would like to see him ride in the sunset and enjoy it because he has long been one of the most active and consistent champions. I think it's time for the break.
Demetrious Johnson responds to Israel Adesanya to get Ko'd
Demetrious Johnson recently shared images of his furious live reaction to Adesanya vs Imavov.
The former UFC champion flying weight rushed, lyrical and cursed while he saw his friend being eliminated.
After taking a minute to calm down, 'Mighty Mouse' wondered if it was time for Adesanya to retire.
“To be honest, whatever the F *** Izzy, I am on board,” said Johnson.
“Sometimes in the career of an athlete, and why I made the decision to retire, there was nothing left in your mixed martial arts career.
“He has had many fights in kickboxing, and it is not like his mixed martial arts career. He is a workhorse. I think in 20 months they said he had seven fights – that is a workload that not everyone can sustain.
“I'm sure he's very rich. I am sure that he is one of the largest middle weights of all time in mixed martial arts. What is there to prove for Israel Adesanya? To be honest, I don't think there is nothing left for him.
'Of course he is still an athlete. He is still young at the age of 35. I am sure he still wants to continue to compete – but at what costs? “
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