‘Get up, Izzy!’… Demetrious Johnson shares furious live reaction to Israel Adesanya getting knocked out

It’s safe to say Demetrious Johnson was devastated by how the UFC Saudi Arabia main event ended.

The former UFC flyweight champion watched along from home as Israel Adesanya got knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov inside two rounds at the anb Arena in Ridyah on Saturday night.

Viral footage shows Demetrious Johnson losing his cool while watching ‘The Last Stylebender’ continue his poor run, which began with a huge upset loss against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023, and continued when Dricus du Plessis made him tap out at UFC 305 last August.

‘Mighty Mouse’ was hoping to see Israel Adesnaya get back on track at UFC Saudi Arabia.

READ MORE: ‘Unforgiving sport’… Francis Ngannou sends heartwarming message to Israel Adesanya after third consecutive loss

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCDemetrious Johnson reacts to Israel Adesanya getting KO’dJohnson went berserk as he watched Adesanya’s disastrous form continue against Imavov.

“No! F***! Get up, Izzy! F***! F***! God Dammit,” Johnson screamed as he watched the KO sequence.

The recently retired fight legend tried to give Imavov props for his win, but he struggled to do so due to the sheer disappointment of watching Adesanya fall short for the third time in a row.

Johnson added: “Massive respect for Izzy, man, to go over there and shake the hand of the man who just knocked him out.

“F***, man, now I’ve got a f***ing headache… Congrats Nassourdine. I’m happy… I’m not happy, I’m actually f***ing mad. I’m happy that he’s victorious. I don’t know how to say it, I’m not happy, f*** that s*** [but] good for him.”

What’s next for Israel Adesanya? Adesanya initially gave a coy response to questions about his fighting future after UFC Saudi Arabia.

Soon after, Adesanya claimed ‘I’ll be back’ as he posted on social media for the first time since the loss.

Johnson insists he will fully support whatever the former two-time UFC champion decides to do next.

“To be honest with you, whatever the f*** Izzy wants to do I’m on board,” he said.

“Sometimes in an athlete’s career, and why I made the decision to retire, was that there was nothing left to prove in your mixed martial arts career.

“He’s had a lot of fights in kickboxing, and it’s not like his mixed martial arts career has been easy. He is a f***ing workhorse. I think they said in 20 months he had seven fights – that’s a workload that not everybody can sustain.

“I’m sure he’s very wealthy. I’m sure he’s one of the greatest middleweights of all time in mixed martial arts. What is left is there to prove for Israel Adesanya? Honestly, I don’t think there’s nothing left for him to do.

“Obviously, he’s still an athlete. He’s still young at 35 years old. I’m sure he still wants to continue competing – but at what cost?”