Recently, Joe Rogan looked back on what he considers the best post-fight speech in MMA history.
Rogan has been front and centre for some of the biggest moments in UFC history, witnessing it all from just a few feet away.
After every fight, he steps into the Octagon to speak with fighters right after their victories, capturing raw emotions on the spot.
Now 58, Rogan has heard plenty of memorable interviews over his career, but there is one that he says tops them all.
Joe Rogan backs Israel Adesanya’s emotional speech after Alex Pereira knockout
After beating Alex Pereira at UFC 287, Israel Adesanya put his full emotions into the mic.
Going into the April 2023 bout, ‘The Last Stylebender’ was facing his long-time kickboxing rival, having lost all three of their previous fights.
In that context, after knocking Pereira out cold and reclaiming the middleweight title, it was no surprise that he let his emotions spill over.
Adesanya celebrated by miming arrows being shot at Pereira before taking the microphone from Rogan to address the crowd. The speech that followed has been remembered as one of the best ever, something Rogan still talks about years later.
Speaking on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, he said: “Do you remember Israel Adesanya’s speech after he knocked out Pereira? Let’s play it because it’s f—ing amazing.”
“He asked me to give him the microphone… He’s the best.”
Watching back Adesanya’s interview from UFC 287 only reinforced Rogan’s view: “Greatest post-fight speech of all time.
“For him to catch him with that perfect right hand off the cage like that and then shoot the arrows into him.
“Greatest post-fight celebration, greatest post-fight speech of all-time. There’s not even a second place.
“Except Rose Namajunas, that one time when she was saying, ‘I am the best.’ That was pretty powerful, too. That was a good one.”
Israel Adesanya’s next move
Things have not gone as planned for Adesanya since that memorable win over ‘Poatan’ at UFC 287.
The 36-year-old has now dropped three straight fights, falling out of the title picture in the process.
His most recent setback came in February, when Nassourdine Imavov stopped him at UFC Saudi Arabia.
Adesanya had hoped to get back into action with a rematch against Sean Strickland, but that matchup did not materialise.
Strickland is already lined up to fight Anthony Hernandez in a Fight Night main event on February 21st.
In September, ‘The Last Stylebender’ said he had given up on facing the American star again: “I’ve moved on. I just want to fight… I’m staying ready for any and everyone.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
