Israel Adesanya Responds After Shaquille O’Neal Brands Two-Time Champ “Greatest Athletes Ever” Along With Jon Jones and Kamaru Usman

Who’s your favorite UFC fighter? That could be a tough question to answer because different divisions have different stars. However, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal seems to have his picks. The 4-time NBA champion laid bare his current favorite fighters during a recent conversation with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo.
Shaquille O’Neal, much like other famous sportspersons and celebrities, has a sting inclination toward UFC. He listed the names of a few UFC fighters, who were the reason for his love for mixed martial arts. ‘Shaq’ even named former 185-pound champion Israel Adesanya, who shared a reaction after hearing those praiseful words from the NBA legend.
Israel Adesanya responds after Shaquille O’Neal calls him one of the greats
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Much like the fans of the sport, Jon Jones also made Shaquille O’Neal’s list of favorite UFC fighters. But his list also included big names like Francis Ngannou, Kamaru Usman, Sean O’Malley, and former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. “I’m watching you [Kamaru Usman], of course. I’m watching Adesanya [and the] old boy from Phoenix [Sean O’Malley]… He’s a bad boy too. Francis [Ngannou] had a tough fight… [and] of course, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones,” Shaquille O’Neal said on ‘Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru and Henry‘.
The 4-time NBA champion shared a really honest take on MMA as a sport. Shaquille O’Neal would even go on to claim that MMA fighters can make a strong case for being the best athletic individuals on the planet. “I am watching all the top fighters. You guys are probably the greatest athletes ever… the way you train, the way you get hit, knocked out, knocking people out, you guys are the best athletes.”
via Imago April 8, 2023, Miami, FL, Miami, Florida, United States: MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 8: Israel Adesanya celebrates his victory over Alex Pereira in their middleweight fight during the UFC 287 event at Kaseya Center on April 8, 2023 in Miami, FL, United States. Miami, FL United States – ZUMAp175 20230408_zsa_p175_148 Copyright: xAlejandroxSalazarx
When Israel Adesanya noticed the praises showered upon him by the 52-year-old NBA legend, he shared a story on Instagram, where he shared the clip of Shaquille O’Neal talking about his favorite UFC fighters on the podcast and laying emphasis on the former NBA champion calling him and the others the “greatest athletes ever.”
Israel Adesany must be happy being called one of the GOATs in the game. However, the Nigerian-born Kiwi fighter recently talked about his former rival Alex Pereira and dubbed him to be an icon of the sport as well.
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‘Izzy’ called Alex Pereira a “special fighter”
Dana White may have made one of the best decisions ever by bringing Alex Pereira to the UFC. His rivalry with Israel Adesanya is up there among the best rivalries in the sport, without a doubt. The pair weren’t on the best terms with each other and made it evident during press conferences or on social media when they would jibe at each other. However, Adesanya’s recent comments suggest that both fighters respect each other’s accomplishments.
via Imago April 8, 2023, Miami, FL, Miami, Florida, United States: MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 8: L-R Alex Pereira punches Israel Adesanya in their middleweight fight during the UFC 287 event at Kaseya Center on April 8, 2023 in Miami, FL, United States. Miami, FL United States – ZUMAp175 20230408_zsa_p175_193 Copyright: xAlejandroxSalazarx
‘Izzy’ recently emphasized the way Alex Pereira’s career has panned out and believes that he’s a one-of-a-kind fighter. He not only has respect for ‘Poatan’s achievements in his MMA career, but the way the 205-pound champion leads his life outside of the Octagon. “Honestly, he’s a special fighter,” Adesanya stated on Demetrious Johnson‘s ‘MightyCast‘. “He’s a special human being. What he’s done in this game, in fighting, and for his life, as well, I’ll always respect him.”
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There is not much left for Israel Adesanya in the middleweight division after becoming the first and only fighter to win the 185-pound title twice. Is he now looking to move to the light heavyweight division? Well, he isn’t because recent reports suggest that ‘The Last Stylebender’ is looking to get his hands on the middleweight strap for a record time. Hence, he is looking to secure a fight with Dricus du Plessis for the title. However, we are still waiting for a confirmation on that front.