Israel Adesanya revealed there`s a specific fighter in the UFC who particularly annoys him.
The former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion has faced numerous opponents throughout his title reigns, including Alex Pereira, Sean Strickland, and the current champion, Dricus du Plessis.
These are just a few of the fighters with whom Adesanya has exchanged words.
Adesanya stated he never saw himself as someone who “hates” until he watched UFC Atlanta on Saturday to support his friend Kamaru Usman.
Adesanya openly expressed his strong dislike for Usman`s opponent, Joaquin Buckley. Buckley, formerly a middleweight, had been notably vocal after establishing himself as a welterweight contender.
Israel Adesanya admits to hating Joaquin Buckley, calling him “so annoying.”
Buckley`s strategy to knock out Usman didn`t succeed. Instead, the former pound-for-pound king delivered a classic performance over five rounds, controlling Buckley with takedowns and securing a unanimous decision victory.
During the fight, Buckley spoke to Usman while on the ground, later suggesting Usman was more focused on takedowns than inflicting damage.
While watching and supporting his long-time friend Usman, Adesanya vocalized his contempt for Buckley, known as ‘New Mansa’.
Adesanya was quoted on his YouTube channel saying, “I hate this n—-, bro. I don’t even use the word hate lightly, but I hate this n—-, bro. Something about him just f—— annoys me.”
He described an interaction: “Like, literally, I’m just trying to chill talk, [then Buckley is] like, hey man, we gotta get this going… Like he’s rapping to me every single time. He’s just so f—— annoying. At one point, I literally just walked away as he was talking.”
Reflecting on his feelings, Adesanya said, “Maybe I’m just a hater, bro… I’m a hater, bro. I understand it now. I get it. I understand it now. I’ll be sipping that ‘haterade’, man.”
Following Buckley`s defeat, Adesanya exclaimed, “Retire!” He then laughed, adding, “I’m finally a hater. I understand it now.”
Joaquin Buckley claimed Israel Adesanya`s career declined after Buckley shared his strategy to beat him.
Adesanya, considered one of the greatest middleweights, has recently faced a losing streak in 2025.
He has suffered three consecutive defeats to Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov, the latter winning by knockout at UFC Riyadh in February.
Last summer on The Joe Rogan Experience, Buckley offered an analysis on how to defeat Adesanya, suggesting that cutting angles is key to landing a knockout blow.
Following Adesanya`s knockout loss to Imavov, Buckley posted on X, “Once I gave my take on how to beat Izzy on JRE I feel like Buddy career has never been the same.”
Percy Harlow