Israel Adesanya channeled Will Smith and 50 Cent in an hilarious first reaction to being called out by one of the UFC’s fastest-rising prospects.
Shara Magomedov had just knocked out Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 to bring his record to an impressive 15-0. After causing controversy by calling out Nick Diaz after his previous win in Abu Dhabi, he opted to pick a more active rival and went for Adesanya.
Just two months prior at UFC 305, the Nigerian former champion had failed in his effort to reclaim the gold against Dricus Du Plessis. As such, he began to emerge as a prospective opponent for fights outside of the immediate top contenders at middleweight.
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Shara Magomedov called out Israel Adesanya after UFC 308 win
At UFC 308, Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov landed one of the most exciting knockouts of 2024 when he threw an unprecedented double spinning backfist. It was an impressive victory, and fans were awaiting his next challenge.
After UFC Abu Dhabi a few months prior, he had shot way off the mark as he called for Nick Diaz, who had just turned 41-years-old. The former middleweight title contender hasn’t won a fight since October 2011, and appears to be heading towards retirement.
So in his post-fight interview, Magomedov gave a rare comment in English without the help of his translator, telling Daniel Cormier: “Thank you very much, I am happy, very happy. Listen to me guys, I am the best striker in this division.”
And he made the right decision this time around as he called out a more age-appropriate contender, adding: “I am smash Israel Adesanya. Stay in your seats, this island was captured by the pirate [his fight nickname], don’t panic. Dana White, I came for my gold!”
Israel Adesanya channeled Will Smith and 50 Cent in hilarious reaction
When Adesanya caught wind of what had happened, he had a quick-witted and mellow reply to the callout. He didn’t seem too bothered, or interested in engaging with a shout from a fighter who at the time was still unranked at the weight.
In October, Adesanya hadn’t taken part in a non-title fight for over five years – a record which will stand until Saturday when he faces Nassourdine Imavov. And he laughed off the idea with a funny nod towards some Hollywood royalty.
He first jokingly quoted Hollywood star Will Smith’s Oscars outburst at Chris Rock as he told him “keep my name out your f***ing mouth”. He then joked that he was like the meme where 50 Cent asks “what he say f*** me for?”
Israel Adesanya backs Micheal ‘Venom’ Page to beat Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Now, Magomedov is set for the toughest test of his UFC tenure as he faces former Bellator title contender and renowned kickboxing champion Michael ‘Venom’ Page. The Brit is close friends with Adesanya, who reckons that he will remove the 0 from his Russian rival’s record.
“MVP will handle that this weekend,” he told the press at yesterday’s media day in Riyadh. “But him saying that I’m a more difficult fight, if that’s what he thinks sure. He had a cool knockout last time, that was cool.
“Double spinning backfist? That was cool, but he’s still climbing the ranks. He said I ducked him back in kickboxing, but I never heard of him until I saw him in the UFC. I don’t duck anybody.”
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