In boxing parallel’s If AJ, or any other professional boxer ( or MMA fighter for that manner) came back after a long reign and did what Israel has just done, dealing with the mental, the physical pressure on the global stage, doing what he said he was going to do, come forward and pressure (at the elite level) and stop his opponent in such fashion to get his title back he would be seen as the second coming. The man has lapped the top 5 in the division, this suggests he has no peers. Adesanya has proven time and time again that he is the best in the world, and his recent victory over Alex Pereira only solidifies that fact.
I appreciate that the nuances of the MMA game are not for everyone or the untrained eye, his 8 million followers certainly make up for it.
I was at primary school in South Auckland in late 70s and 80s with the children of the first Polynesian immigration wave. You have them and their kids locked into Warriors/Blues support. Another factor for rugby is Manurewa/Papakura is 150k people. If you grew up there in rugby you are likely strong Counties therefore Chiefs. Not a lot of space for a new team.
Wow, I'm the opposite of the "Only at the Olympics" answer to "Do you care about sevens?". I only care about Sevens when it's NOT at the Olympics. Or the World Cup. I reckon Sevens is too unpredictable a game to be suited to a single tournament - I only care about the main Sevens circuit, where the best team over a series of events is crowned champion.
In boxing parallel’s If AJ, or any other professional boxer ( or MMA fighter for that manner) came back after a long reign and did what Israel has just done, dealing with the mental, the physical pressure on the global stage, doing what he said he was going to do, come forward and pressure (at the elite level) and stop his opponent in such fashion to get his title back he would be seen as the second coming. The man has lapped the top 5 in the division, this suggests he has no peers. Adesanya has proven time and time again that he is the best in the world, and his recent victory over Alex Pereira only solidifies that fact.
I appreciate that the nuances of the MMA game are not for everyone or the untrained eye, his 8 million followers certainly make up for it.
I was at primary school in South Auckland in late 70s and 80s with the children of the first Polynesian immigration wave. You have them and their kids locked into Warriors/Blues support. Another factor for rugby is Manurewa/Papakura is 150k people. If you grew up there in rugby you are likely strong Counties therefore Chiefs. Not a lot of space for a new team.
When you look at all the Pasifika players in the other Super rugby teams Moana Pasifika are only getting the best of the rest.
Wow, I'm the opposite of the "Only at the Olympics" answer to "Do you care about sevens?". I only care about Sevens when it's NOT at the Olympics. Or the World Cup. I reckon Sevens is too unpredictable a game to be suited to a single tournament - I only care about the main Sevens circuit, where the best team over a series of events is crowned champion.