Many think Israel Adesanya looked in top form at the UFC 305 PPV title fight. Many others think Izzy was starting to fade and had to give up. However, the decorated athlete is never without style, whether he wins or not. His UFC 287 post-knockout celebration over Alex Pereira was one such statement thatโs alive even today. Consequently, even in loss, Izzy inspires others.
Israel Adesanya, a lifelong pop culture and anime enthusiast, conjured a bow and finished a downed Alex Pereira after the hard-hitting KO. โStylebenderโ and his much-sought-after win was quite viral when he released three arrows, symbolizing his three losses across two sports. Now, it has inspired Liverpool F.C. Mohamed Salah, who mimicked it after a goal against Brentford F.C.
I think I was watching the UFC [and] it was [Alex] Pereira against Israel [Adesanya]. When he won the second fight against Pereira he celebrated like that. Pereira,…I think beat him in the first one. I like the celebration and that’s why I did it… I am a UFC fan. I’m a UFC fan and our Egyptian people used to do it when they drew something on temples and pyramids.
Mohamed Salah for the โMen In Blazersโ YT Segment (@meninblazers)
The gesture was a significant mark of a winning ritual for Israel Adesanya. โPoatanโ defeated the Nigerian standout out ofย City Kickboxing NZ at UFC 281. Izzy snagged the gold back from Alex Pereira at UFC 287 via a 2nd-round KO. Pereira is a total of 3-1 over Israel Adesanya in MMA and GLORY Kickboxing. The duo hugged it out afterward, and Pereira has since found immense success at LHW limits.
Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) recently faced his first-ever submission skid at UFC 304, which is a history in itself. Izzy has hit uncharted career territory with back-to-back violent losses, this time to Dricus Du Plessis. He has also had immense success and viral moments in wins. However, whether they like it or hate its overuse, none compare to his UFC 287 winning snippet. Even fans agree on that much.
Fight fans react to Mohamed Salah using Israel Adesanyaโs gesture
Despite the sort of like-hate banters, Izzyโs CKB mates and closest friends say that he and Alex Pereira maintain an amicable relation. Israel Adesanya often catches heat on celebrating his UFC 287 pay-per-view KO moment if UFC doesnโt release the ceremonial โOn this Dayโ reels often. However, the fighter claims itโs all in good sport.
Fans react to the UFC 287 styled celebration (Source: X)The Brazilian also supports Izzy if he is to chase a championship belt again. However, itโs undeniable that the UFC 287 shock knockout was a thing of beaut when it came to be. Mohamed Salah using it after such a long time speaks volumes to it. The Egyptian star could have chosen several other methods of fighters celebrating, but he didnโt. Hereโs what fans think of it.
Izzy’s pull is unreal.
I know Poatard’s aren’t gonna like this, but rest easy.
At least your boy is still champion.
โ Omni-Man MMA (@CredibleIAM) August 30, 2024
@WowIsRight123 when football players start doing your celebration you know your aura is unmatched.
โ Omni-Man MMA (@CredibleIAM) August 30, 2024
Need Alex Pereira to respond in a Man United top
โ TheManUnitedLad ๐น (@TheBritishFella) August 30, 2024
Salahโs celebration was on point! Channeling Adesanyaโs knockout vibes is a bold moveโboth are absolute legends in their fields.
โ DAUD KHAN ๐ (@DaudKx) August 30, 2024
I thought of that immediately I saw his celebration after the goal.
โ Yinka (@ThanosGrandPa) August 30, 2024
Izzyโs post-fight celebration has a following of its own. It ranges from his NSFW gimmick on Paulo Costa to his gunfire-dance theatrics against Robert Whittaker. But his win against Pereira did not just permeate pop culture. It pierced through his past defeats. Salah has now logged in the first fixture in six of the last seven seasons. He now surpasses big names in the industry, so his celebration was on point.
However, some have billed him as a โcasual,โ alluding that Pereiraโs Pataxรณ march and shooting an arrow is more iconic. However, others have lauded Adesanyaโs pull, given big stars recognize him, and some are even willing to fork pennies into his name. As such, the matter is quite viral.
