sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Israel Adesanya Receives Chilling Callout From Former UFC Middleweight Champion: I Can "Ragdoll Him On The Floor"

Israel Adesanya Receives Chilling Callout From Former UFC Middleweight Champion: I Can "Ragdoll Him On The Floor"

"I present some serious trouble for Adesanya..."

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has called out Israel Adesanya and believes he can "absolutely" beat the current title holder.

Adesanya stopped the previously-undefeated Paulo Costa in dominant fashion to defend his UFC middleweight title at UFC 253 last weekend.

He's eyeing Jared Cannonier as his next opponent if 'The Killa Gorilla' gets past Robert Whittaker at UFC 254.

Image: PA
Image: PA

But Weidman wants a piece of 'The Last Stylebender' and reckons he's "tailor-made" for him.

Speaking to Chael Sonnen, 'The All-American' explained: "Absolutely (I can beat Adesanya).

"I think that's a tailor-made matchup for me. Those athletic strikers, tall lanky guys, I've proven that I can beat.

"I think pressure, wrestling, heavy punches and kicks... just nonstop pressure is what you need to beat them.

"That's the recipe that beats those guys. I've proves that with Anderson Silva twice, Uriah Hall another one. Those guys are in trouble against me."

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

Weidman held the UFC middleweight title between July 2013 to December 2015 after dethroning Silva.

He may not be on the best run of late, but the 36-year-old still thinks he can defeat Adesanya.

"I think that's an exciting fight to make," he added.

"If you look up and down the rankings, I don't think there's too many other fights that can excite people the way our narratives could work, and what I bring to the table. It's not any bullsh*t, it's just facts.

"If you're into MMA and you really understand the game, you look at my game and you know I present some serious trouble for Adesanya, and more than anybody's ever had in the past.

"He hasn't really fought any other great, accoladed wrestler, other than Yoel Romero who doesn't use his wrestling so I don't even count that. I'm the type of guy that will bring that pressure, and I will take him down and ragdoll him on the floor."

Weidman last fought in August when he outpointed Omari Akhmedov on his return to the 185lbs division.

Featured Image Credit: PA/UFC

Topics: Anderson Silva, UFC News, Fight News, UFC, Israel Adesanya