ISRAEL ADESANYA has been handed an indefinite medical suspension following his loss at UFC 281 on Saturday.
The former middleweight champion was knocked out by Alex Pereira in the fifth round of their contest.
Getty Images – GettyIsrael Adesanya has been given an indefinite medical suspension[/caption]
GettyThe fighter also has to complete a mandatory 60 days of rest[/caption]
GettyThe Last Stylebender was knocked out by Alex Pereira at UFC 281 last Saturday[/caption]
It brought an end to Stylebender’s 23-fight win streak at middleweight level and now the Nigerian is set to spend some time off.
Adesanya, 33, has been suspended indefinitely by the New York State Athletic Commission.
He has also been given a mandatory rest period of 60 days and Adesanya plans to use that time to travel and support fellow fighters.
Speaking after his defeat, Adesanya said: “It was my third fight in 10 months, as a champion, putting it on the line every single time.
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“I’m going to really enjoy myself and just chill. I’ll travel maybe, and help my teammates as well.
“Help them get ready for their respective fights, but I deserve this. I earned this.”
Adesanya was on the receiving end of several huge Pereira blows before the fight was waved off by the referee.
He was rocked by an almighty left hook that put him into survival mode, but he had no defence for Pereira.
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Adesanya thought he was fine even after the first blow, but accepted he was overpowered in a “crazy moment”.
He said: “I’m grateful. What a life, what a moment, f***ing crazy, isn’t it? Similar to the last time, same story, it’s crazy.
“I was fine, first thing I said to the ref was ‘I’m fine’ because I was still lucid, still in there and I was fine, but s happens.
“I talked to my coaches and I trust them, but I was fine, I could see everything that was happening.
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“My eyes might have rolled into the back of my head a little bit but I was lucid.
“I’m grateful, I’m proud, my team’s proud of me and respectfully, f*** all this s***, f*** everybody else, it’s all about my team.”