Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and several other Nigerians have praised Israel Adesanya who suffered his first Ultimate Fighting Championship defeat for his gritty show on Sunday.
This is just as social media influencer, Japheth J. Omojuwa and popular presenter, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu stated that they felt proud watching the performance of the ‘Stylebender’ who lost to Jan Blachowicz on his first shot at the light heavyweight category.
The middleweight champion targeted history to become the fifth UFC fighter to win two division belts after Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, and Amanda Nune, but lost to the Polish fighter by unanimous decision.
Blachowicz ended Adesanya’s 20 game winning streak with a 49-46, 49-45 and 49-45 result at the UFC APEX Arena in Las Vegas.
Adesanya has since apologised to his fans after the defeat, promising to make them proud as he makes a return to the middleweight division but didn’t rule out a return to the light heavyweight category.
“I dared to be great and now I go back to the middleweight and rule it with an Iron fist. I will still be back to the light heavyweight division.
“I’m going to go back down and handle business. We’re just stopping for gas. If you want to stay on, I promise I’ll make you proud,” Adesanya said after suffering his first loss.
Reacting after the fight on Twitter, the NIDCOM boss stated that Adesanya remains a champ despite the defeat.
“Despite @stylebender‘s first defeat of his career, he still remains a champion. We celebrate you,” Dabiri-Erewa tweeted.
BBNaija presenter, Obi-Uchendu also commented, “Well done man @stylebender. I respect the guts!!!”
Omojuwa added, “Izzy dared to dream. Like Joshua, he took an L. Lessons will be learnt and he will get even better. Still the undisputed middleweight champion. I hope he keeps his head in place after this. A first loss can mess up with the head at times.”
