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Michael Bisping is weighing in on the UFC middleweight title picture and why it's important for Israel Adesanya to pursue an immediate rematch.
In a recent video that was uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping explained that Adesanya will be criticized if he accepts a tune-up fight rather than before a title rematch against new UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira:
"I think he should get the next fight and I think he should fight Alex Pereira without taking a warm-up or a tune-up fight or whatever. Because if he takes a little time off, which he does deserve but then Pereira fights let's say, a Robert Whittaker, Whittaker beats Pereira, and then Izzy what, fights Whittaker again and beats him? People are always gonna say that he was dodging Pereira. So, he needs to fight and he needs to beat Pereira."
Based on the promotion's schedule and other top-5 middleweight contenders booked for fights, time could be on Adesanya's side. The former UFC middleweight champion added that 'Izzy' should take some time off so that he can return with a refreshed mindset. Bisping mentioned that despite the title loss, Adesanya deserves an immediate title shot:
"The man deserves another shot. He's been a workhorse, he's been entertaining, he's been a great champion - he's defended the belt 6 or 7 times. So that is my next move - Pereira vs. Izzy - in 6 months. 6 months sounds a long way away. It's not, that's like April or May. It's around the corner in terms of fight sports."
Check out the full video:
Can Israel Adesanya avenge his losses to Alex Pereira?
Alex Pereira knocked out Israel Adesanya in the fifth round to capture the middleweight championship at UFC 281.
At the start of the fight, Izzy seemed to be ahead on the scorecard. He stunned 'Poatan' at the end of the first round and scored takedowns. However, it was shades of their kickboxing bouts as Pereira was motivated going into the final round. After a passionate speech from his corner, he finished 'The Last Stylebender' with strikes.
Taking their previous fights into account, it's clear that 'Poatan' has Izzy's number in combat sports. He has won all three of their combat sports bouts, with two of those ending via KO/TKO.
Despite the losses, 'Izzy' has shown that he can dictate the pace of the fight and have moments where Pereira is on the verge of being finished. If he continues to improve his grappling and wrestling, he could have a path to victory in another rematch and regain the middleweight championship.
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