Christopher Reive: NZ Herald sports reporter recaps UFC 305

Israel Adesanya has put his loss into perspective on a big day for Kiwi UFC stars.

After 11 months out of the octagon, Israel Adesanya failed to reclaim the UFC middleweight title, losing by fourth-round submission to Dricus Du Plessis.

NZ Herald sports reporter Christopher Reive joined Piney to discuss the loss. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
To be for Israel Adi Sona at UFC three oh
five yesterday in Perth, stall Africauntry Wister rebeats then.

Speaker 3 (00:26):
What any five?

Speaker 2 (00:27):
Yeah? Israel Adisogna submitted by incumbent champion Drecus Duplessy in
the fourth round of their About Elsewhere. Flyweight Chai Cutter
France spoiled the Perth homecoming for Steve Erseg, knocking him
out in the first round, and Dan Hooker has earned
himself a spot in the lightweight division's top five after

(00:47):
beating Poland's Mattias Gamrot by split decision. Let's bring in
our combat sports expert from the New Zealand Herald, Chris Reeve. Chris,
how do you assess? First of all, Israel's defeat by
Drecis Duplessy yesterday?

Speaker 3 (01:03):
Good question, Piney. It was an interesting one. Israel looked
a lot better in this fight than he did in
his previous fight to Sean Strickland. He was looking a
lot bigger, a lot faster, a lot just a lot sharper.
In general, the fight was actually starting to trend in
his direction too. He was down to one on the
scorecards coming into the fourth round, but he was really

(01:25):
starting to take over the fight in the third and
fourth round. Just happened to get caught and trick as dupless.
I mean, you have to credit the guy's finishing instincts.
As soon as he saw that Israel was at a
little bit stung, maybe he just chased him, dragged him
to the ground and didn't let him go from there.
It was a really, really smart finish from him.

Speaker 2 (01:45):
Was it a mistake by Israel personally?

Speaker 3 (01:49):
It's hard to say. I didn't see what was going
on there. Israel was pretty pretty disappointed in himself in
a mistake. He made it on the ground. Obviously, I
can't see what's going on down there with the hands
and everything. But if Israel said it was a mistake,
I'd have to believe him, all right.

Speaker 2 (02:07):
So what is your gut feel now about what is
next for him? That's three losses in his last four fights.
Is there any chance he'll call it a day or not?

Speaker 3 (02:18):
No, I don't think so. It seemed like he enjoyed
himself too much this time around. He enjoyed the whole
experience of fight. Camp, being back in there doing the media,
doing all the little bits and pieces that come with
the job, and he said afterwards that you know he'll
be back. It's just really interesting to kind of place
where he goes from here. This is a guy who's

(02:41):
last twelve fights in the UFC have been title fights.
It's not really someone that you think won't be fighting
for a title in his next one, but that's kind
of position he's in now. So it'll be really interesting
to see what sort of opponents he takes in his
next fight, whether it's a title eliminator, whether it's just
a big name, or where he goes from here.

Speaker 2 (03:04):
He's thirty five, now, is that old for a UFC fighter?

Speaker 3 (03:08):
Yes, and no. You do see some guys fighting into
their forties. I think it really just comes down to
how good the fighter feels, sort of physically and mentally
and emotionally. You know, it's a pretty pretty hectic sport
to be involved, and as long as you're still one
hundred percent permitted to it, I think you can just
keep going for as long as you know you feel
like you're physically capable of competing with the best in

(03:31):
the world.

Speaker 2 (03:31):
We'll wait to see what happens there. Just a word
on Kay Cut of France impressive yesterday. Be interested in
your view and what the future might hold for him?

Speaker 3 (03:40):
Is that man a title shot? I mean coming in
off over a year sideline. You know, he had to
deal with some concussion issues and had six months where
he wasn't doing any contact in the gym. To come
back and win like that against the guy who just
challenged for the title and you know, arguably beat the

(04:02):
current champion. I don't think there's any other option for
Kay at this point than a title shot. He's number
four in the world. The only other guy who the
current champion hasn't beat that is ranked above him comes
in offer very questionable split decision when Overcut afront, so
they either run that one back or Kai gets the

(04:22):
title shot. That's that's my opinion anyway.

Speaker 2 (04:24):
And what about Dan Hooker? What about Dan hook He
seems completely mad to me, but but he won.

Speaker 3 (04:31):
Oh he's a wild man, isn't he? That was just
classic Dan Hooker. The man loves a fight. Anyone watching
would have seen between I think the second and third
rounds where he just gives off the most kind of
I don't know what you'd call spine chilling. Laugh when
he says he loves what he's doing. And I guess

(04:51):
beat Matteosh Gamrock, how he did, you know stuff? And
most of the takedowns threatening with a guillotine choke and
really just laying the power on Gamrock and you know,
having that striking success that he did. That was probably
the best version of Dan Hooker we've seen in a
long time. And yeah, not that long ago people were
telling this guy to retire, and now he's on a

(05:14):
three fight win streak, should be in the top five
come this week, and yeah, I mean he can go
anywhere from here. So it's exciting to see what the
UFC haven't saw for him next. And just to.

Speaker 2 (05:26):
Finish UFC three oh five. Was it a success? Was
it a good event?

Speaker 3 (05:31):
I thought it was a pretty exciting event. Lots of
good fights on their hometown crowd probably would have liked
to see him a few more of the results go
their way, but and that happens in sports, and it's
gonna go to enjoy the experience.

Speaker 2 (05:45):
And Dave, thanks for your expertise. Chris.

Speaker 3 (05:47):
Great to get to you anytime, mate.

Speaker 2 (05:49):
Thanks Chris. Chris Reeve from the New Zealand Herald. Read
him at inzid Herald dot co dot mzed.

Speaker 1 (05:54):
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