Israel Adesanya Tells Derek Brunson To ‘Calm Down’ After Being Called Out
Moments after Derek Brunson successfully submitted Darren Till on Saturday, Brunson already called out who he’s targeting next – Israel Adesanya.
Brunson approached a cageside camera and delivered a message directly to Adesanya, who stopped him nearly three years ago at UFC 230 from capturing a title.
DEREK BRUNSON JUST SUBMITTED DARREN TILL.
BRUNSON BY SUB PAID +2000 AT @DKSportsbook
“Israel Adesanya…YOU’RE NEXT!”pic.twitter.com/msjvoekI4c
— Covers (@Covers) September 4, 2021
When the two fighters met, Adesanya was a rising star who had three victories in the UFC and was undefeated in professional MMA. He easily defeated Brunson in the first round after landing some significant knees and executing takedown defense in this fight.
Adesanya showed on social media that he wasn’t affected by the callout.
Calm down…boy.
You still a bum…son. pic.twitter.com/8LymB7PLm3— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) September 4, 2021
Happy Father’s Day. 🍞 https://t.co/rG4oR3DTzg
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) September 4, 2021
Both fighters have since found their ways.
“The Last Stylebender” Adesanya defeated legendary Anderson Silva via unanimous decision, won interim middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum and dethroned Robert Whittaker.
Since then, Adesanya has defended his title three times but failed in attempt to become a double champion. Jan Blachowicz served him his first-ever MMA loss, but he remains undefeated in his natural weight class.
Brunson is undefeated after losing against Adesanya.
He fought five times in a row and defeated three rising stars in a row: Kevin Holland had five winning streaks in 2020, Edmen Shahbazyan was undefeated at the time, and former title challenger Till.