Matzah Ballin’ with Israel Adesanya: Fighting in China, meeting The Rock | Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show

Israel Adesanya sits down with Ariel Helwani at ESPN’s campus in Bristol, Connecticut for a meal of matzah ball soup and a Reuben to discuss (6:19) how he got his first name, (10:34) spending time in Nigeria after winning the belt, (14:58) his time fighting in China, (23:00) comparing himself and Paulo Costa to Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor, (25:45) meeting The Rock and (28:31) his last real job.
#HelwaniShow #ESPNMMA #Adesanya
✔ For more UFC, sign up for ESPN+ plus.espn.com/ufc
✔ Get the ESPN App: www.espn.com/espn/apps/espn
✔ Subscribe to ESPN on KZbin: es.pn/SUBSCRIBEtoKZbin
✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on KZbin: bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC
✔ Subscribe to NBA on ESPN on KZbin: bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoNBAonESPN
✔ Watch ESPN on KZbin TV: es.pn/KZbinTV
ESPN on Social Media:
► Follow on Twitter: / espn
► Like on Facebook: / espn
► Follow on Instagram: / espn
Visit ESPN on KZbin to get up-to-the-minute sports news coverage, scores, highlights and commentary for NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, College Football, NCAA Basketball, soccer and more.
More on ESPN.com: www.espn.com

[@noobz4hire290]

I love how real Izzy is. He doesn’t change just because he’s inside ESPN or doing a professional interview. Just himself.

[@noobz4hire290]

dÜo shut up

[@1of1juu70]

isreal "see you soon boi" adesanya

[@grandmo1006]

@I offer u this give me a fucking date

[@1of1juu70]

I offer u this He said that when asked about jon jones superfight

[@YouTuber-ww4bc]

@I offer u this Lol. I think others didn't get it bro.. Good One (Y)

[@dondavinci2183]

Jon Jones clicks on video. Jon Jones Dislikes video. Jon Jones closes KZbin.

[@KhariConception]

Jon still smokes him and Izzy is my favorite right now.

[@cerealkiller5599]

Jon Jones: Tries to eye poke himself in the mirror

[@peacebalancetruth]

Yahhahahahahahahaaah

[@aussieaussieaussieoioioi9135]

👌🏽👌🏽😂😂😂😂⚡️⚡️👊🏽👍🏽

[@truthonly7794]

🤣😂

[@elusivefella8314]

3:56 Takes the time to thank the caterers for the food even interrupting Ariel. If you wanna know a person, see how they treat the lowly when they are on a pedestal.

[@bw4500]

I'd say serving food doesn't mean you're 'lowly' but that's semantics, I get the point you're making and definitely agree

[@sopitaramenconapio2285]

B W I’m glad you didn’t cause a riot.

[@IndustryTechAustralia]

B W Think they were more referencing lower than him in a socio-economic sort of way

[@vinnygtk2136]

@@bw4500 and your gay so that even the score

[@jamesdixon7776]

What about 24:34

[@mohammadmaarefi4956]

Couple of months ago, I doubted this guy before fighting the ripper. I saw the fight but I was more impressed by the dancing before the fight: like he literally knew that he will win and played it all in. That level of self faith is unheard of. Moreover, the lollipop in the press conference that was the name that his childhood bullies used to use for naming him. And look at this guy now. He is special and I have to say my sorry because I doubted you, well you proved me and many others wrong! Nailed it champ

[@emmanualawala756]

Spot on dude 👌

[@angryzombie8088]

with all the broken records out there keep saying "10 rounds with Romero" its difficult for anybody to predict that Izzy will win by knock out. I knew he is special the moment I see him do Kuchiyose no Jutsu in the octagon.

[@aussieaussieaussieoioioi9135]

100 could not have said any better⚡️👍🏽

[@mohammadmaarefi4956]

@Jordan but I always felt that Conor is promoting the fight, with Izzy I feel he is the outcome of hate... First time I can appreciate this feeling in my life

[@alexkorami6679]

You din't tell us why you doubted him 😒

[@grimmjob8090]

“I don’t think Ariels hurt, I think he’s scared” - The Schmo

"Ariel Helwani, you're dead" -The Schmo

[@iamverycrazy]

Where you at Ariel?! Where you at?!

[@meezy5671]

"wrestling was never my friend" - Ariel Helwani

[@edisonsun21c]

Don’t be scared home girl! - da Schmo

[@brickflair8926]

Sinclair Sweet Science “Ariel Helwani no matter where u go boy I’m comin!”

[@Amzyy]

Israel Adesanya has backed up everything he’s said so far and still as a champion isn’t distracted by the money, fame etc but thrives in it. If he remains like this and doesn’t lose focus from the fight game, I feel sorry for his future opponents.

[@isuckatthisgame]

he's probably upgrading the software somewhere in new zeland in some garage as we speaking

[@peacebalancetruth]

✔ 🔥

[@Lonestar10443]

Of course that's why he wants to fight jones. I wish that happen in 2020.

[@vxsios]

@@Lonestar10443 I'm glad he's fighting Middleweight contenders first

[@artazan99]

He’s not going to get passed Romero

[@NamTran-rv4bo]

That boi Ariel getting nasty with it “when you slurp it , it means you like it”

[@dominickschrute3084]

Phrasing!

[@eighty_8]

😂😂😂

[@truthonly7794]

Dude.... Lol

[@CedricRoman]

Hahahaha

[@idontwantone132]

😂

[@MrRobjs83]

of course Ariel is gonna love someone named "Israel" 😆

[@oled4503]

Lo|_ xD

[@treroney4720]

Rob S. He probably also loves Zion Simon m Williamson

[@ChingChengHanji_]

@samyajyoti de his ancestors were from either Germany or Poland

[@averysmith1837]

@@ChingChengHanji_ Wikipedia says his mother is from Lebanon and father from Egypt. He's a mizrahi jew.

[@YouTuber-ww4bc]

Lol. Good one ;-)

[@crazyaces99]

Ariel really snaps on that "Adeh-Sanya"

[@morganvi598]

israel aDEHsanya

[@jameshandley8252]

If you look when Izzy was fighting out of the ufc . He’s always been the same showman

[@peacebalancetruth]

Yes

[@brymartell9302]

He’s gonna be a tough guy to beat I believe his grappling is very underrated

[@ghostcon]

@@brymartell9302 you, just like the rest of us, have absolutely no idea what his grappling looks like.

[@adamash8994]

That’s a huge hole

[@Mstr889]

For some dumb reason, I didn’t like Israel in the beginning, and wanted him to lose badly. Then I understood how stupid it was hating on a guy for no reason whatsoever. I wish him only the best, and will watch all of his fights. Good luck man!

[@waleodukoya5704]

We need more like you. well done sir.

[@gutchiespencer2714]

What happened? You met Jesus and he warned you not to mess with his chosen people....😀

[@Mstr889]

@@gutchiespencer2714 far from it, I’m not religious. It’s just common sense, but it’s difficult to always be objective. I looked inward 😂

[@oteebeat1321]

Israel is original, eating directly with his hands.. The Nigerian in him is so evident.. Lol

[@meezy5671]

bruh izzy just might be the coolest dude in the ufc. i wish we were friends and i dont feel that way about anyone in the sport maybe max but that's about it. big fan. 👌

[@jelorer]

askren was pretty dope. RIP

[@meezy5671]

@@jelorer he was but friend material? idkkkk tis a stretch

[@jelorer]

@PompadourJohnson23 :D

[@rainbowgg___]

Rameez Contractor no I understand. He’s very relatable. I feel like I could recommend him some good anime and manga.

[@meezy5671]

@@rainbowgg___ he likes death note thats all i need to know from his anime side

[@TonyKalashnikov]

Ariel taking everything Brendan Schaub worked for taking the format of casual interviews whilst eating

[@copenukka]

This is the Jewy version of Food Truck Diaries.

[@noobz4hire290]

Robert Paul Champagne lol 😂

[@noobz4hire290]

Robert Paul Champagne This is the ESPN version Food Truck Diaries.

[@deni6943]

ariel and rampage did that way back, also later robin black did that with masvidal, just from the top of my head

[@emmanuel_futughe]

@@copenukka I love the Jews 😀

[@JDRusse11]

The Stylebender, bending all the rules by having Matzah Ball soup for Christmas and dipping his Reuben Sandwich in it! Israel always knows how to honor the past, while making the future better!

[@Sungold0007]

ISRAEL- CHAMPION -ADESANYA

[@Maartun]

6:53 Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya

[@dcarreira4913]

You da real hero!

[@essamlofty2748]

She's a normal woman. Nothing attractive or unattractive for that matter, about her. Stop being a creep.

[@closinginonclosure]

Ok incel

[@michaela8121]

@@essamlofty2748 she's hot. You're jealous.

[@essamlofty2748]

@@michaela8121 What is wrong with you? She's a woman. How could I be jealous of someone calling her attractive. What I find weird is that a girl who isn't all that, who appears in the periphery of a video for less than a few seconds, is getting called hot. I'd understand if she had actual screen time but the fact that she doesn't and isn't that attractive to boot makes the commenter creepy and come across as being a woman starved caveman.

[@portsidedyldo2661]

It’s like watching the realest dude in the school decided to eat lunch with the weird kid at school

[@JakeBroJake]

It’s weird seeing Ariel’s lower half

[@onatkibaroglu9331]

JakeBroJake hagshshdhfhagagahag

[@lhavnghak5085]

It's nice to see him lower himself in front of the ones he interviewes though

[@Si-Horrocks]

I love Izzy, not just because of Auckland represent, but there's a vein of humour and self-depreciation within his bravado that's hilarious, he totally doesn't take himself seriously. He's hilarious.

[@zadegetsfaded]

Si H definitely has a main character of an anime vibe, goofy yet when it’s time to fight dead serious

[@Si-Horrocks]

@@zadegetsfaded accurate description!

[@CaughtInp]

Even tho Isreal rich af now he still eats like a human 😂 I love it 💪🏽

[@emmanuel_futughe]

I haven't even seen the video but knowing my boy Izzy I know it's gonna be burp-tastic!

[@peacebalancetruth]

For Real😛💨

[@emmanuel_futughe]

@@peacebalancetruth he stays burping, men 😀

[@dktreee]

Izzy is the man. Love his realness and energy

[@MrBlessed70]

I agree. He is a good ambassador for UFC

[@peacebalancetruth]

@@MrBlessed70 🔥🔸🔶♊🔶🔸🔥

[@barryhemmy6701]

@@peacebalancetruth 😊👍👍

[@spectrecodex8580]

This guy is just crazy. He doesn't give a f**k

[@bootlegrascal22]

Spectre Codex who?

[@spectrecodex8580]

Bootleg Rascal The guy burping and digging in with his hands

[@twoods2263]

This is the cafeteria where they serve food haha feed me

[@Wangattack]

Did you know he went 10 rounds with Romero? *takes bite*

[@michaelmorales239]

I almost died laughin

[@daret7368]

Tamagotchi tell us what is the best whittaker?

[@SG-uw2ny]

@Tamagotchi Then how come Jones is still a champion? Khabib? Mayweather? They all have taken punishment. They recuperated and moved on. Fighting is not barbaric anymore, it's a science. These professional fighters know exactly how to heal and when. Izzy was just too skillful for Robert. Period! I like Robert but I feel he's gonna have same kinda problems with Gastelum too

[@SG-uw2ny]

​@Tamagotchi You're a fool if you ever say Khabib, Mayweather and Jones were never hurt. Khabib's career almost ended due to injury that came from fighting in the octagon. And the fact that Khabib is saying he wants to retire soon is because of that reason. Healing and staying healthy is part of the job. Robert has heart but he's not technical.

[@VladimirPigeon]

@Tamagotchi honestly even if it was before the Romero wars if rob was still as arrogant. It would go the same way.

[@JohnJDNB]

ESPN- "Izzy what special effects should we add to this video?" Izzy- "Yes."

[@mattiauk]

I already really liked him, but once he geniunly thanked the people that made him food, he got 100% of my respect. MMA is an amazing sport, that gifts us so many cool characters. He is by far the best newcomer, looking forward to see his journey unfold.

[@kudakwashemwashayenyi4752]

Am a simple man....when i see a video with Izzy in it.....i hit PLAY!😊 My man asked for milk as well as takeaway....I RELATE🙏🔥

[@Jack-on2ej]

13:12 "i'm arriving" say no more

[@edemdjokotoe6288]

Ariel is a class act. Makes interviewing look easy

[@alcottdevalte7440]

Adesanya always gets the job done, good man.

[@bimmerM3003]

What a great interview. What I noticed is Israel is the same person he was before a champ. This guy is something special

[@shlmel]

Dear ESPN & KZbin Creators, this is an amazing video. Thank you for this video.

[@peacebalancetruth]

😊

[@waalex11]

"Where's the cool kids table. Oooo. Back to the back of the bus." Lol.

[@LearnWithZ2023]

Izzy's chinese is very good.

[@kordellricesnax]

This interview had nothing to do with mma until like 3 minutes in more authentic

[@Ltkill11]

This is a video that I watched the whole thing beginning to end my first semester freshmen year of college. Walking from the gym to the computer lab listening to this video was amazing. Israel Adesanya has a great deal of potential in becoming one of the greatest in the sport.

[@joshhughes8085]

Did you know Robert went 10 rounds with Romero is the new “did you know I’ve got an Olympic gold medal”

[@rzrselliott]

Thanks for the content, Ariel! This was amazing!

[@milvolts1]

Style bender Is-Real..Adesanya

[@Sunchip3000]

Gotta do more of these kinds of interview Ariel 👍🏽

[@novajames6871]

You saying “we out chea” is Iconic

[@4DaFam]

Izzy is my favorite fighter I hope he has a long and great reign as champion 🙏🏾✊🏾

[@untouchablemac7]

Great interview "God gave us utensils"

[@tjawe]

that was a dope interview

[@ZoNy718]

i think he was trying to compare the Matzah ball to Gnocchi

[@lexetordo8954]

100%

[@deezupzeohdown957]

Its dope to see him enjoy some food that is so common to some of us. We sometimes overlook what we have.

[@mohammodkhadirulislam]

Grate work Ariel one of the best interviews I have seen of a ufc fighter made him feel at home, you deserve a pay raise for this🤑 love your work keep being inventive.

[@russdog06]

Ariel didn't even get the man something to drink with dinner... no tea no water no wine nothing SMH

[@alexstefan1]

@@russdog06 because he eat soup

[@russdog06]

@@alexstefan1 that makes no sense soup is salty and it makes you thirsty silly.

[@alexstefan1]

@@russdog06 hm... Yea.... Good point

[@pabloeskybruh9624]

Hahahahah the way they let him end it was clean af 👌🏻😂 love everytime these two talk You can tell they genuinely like eachother 👌🏻

[@whitegirlblackhusband]

the editing in the intro was fire

[@tsvettselev9337]

"I know football..touchdown" hahahahaha loved it!

[@realhedi7911]

I loved this ❤️

[@Aitonomouss]

Those lobsided bowls make me uncomfortable

[@peacebalancetruth]

Hhhha😆 You F#%&in' Guys are awesome✊😌

[@jq7323]

You can't trust a place when they have lobsided bowls.

[@littlelizard3483]

It’s the future baby

[@antonio5229]

Great camera work, the focus was on point !

[@antonio5229]

@Daniel M Do you realy need an answer ?

[@alancopeland4286]

He was eating dinner. Give him a fucking break

[@tonypeterson5316]

His humbleness is worth a thousand championships!🙏

[@DAWSNx]

Met this guy at Rainbows End, kickback dude ✊

[@billymcmahon1171]

nice camera focus bro

[@flyinpolack6633]

Izzy might just be the most interesting fighter in the world. Great interview!

[@JJj-xratedgt]

Adesanya is a Gem! UFC A$$ET.

[@JoshuaD.Howard]

Izzy keeps doing unconventional interviews and I love it 🔥🔥💯💯

[@Ltkill11]

Man I legit watched the ENTIRE video last semester in college. Crazy how time flies. I will NEVER forget the matzah soup. 🍲

[@aaronlott7691]

Do an interview with all that food and Ariel doesn’t eat any of it

[@MrBlessed70]

He would have eaten it after the interview

[@dylanharmon424]

Chicken & Dumplings is what Israel was trying to say!! It’s one of my favorites, but I’ve never had that soup before.

[@nolanrhodes1699]

Fire Intro

[@sergiococos]

I luv this, this reminds me of the food truck diaries. Do more of these please.

[@MrJay-ud9gk]

No One: Izzy - "IsraelMalbulageetMatayoOdwayoLuafemyaOlabee Adesanya"

[@FunTaskTickViews]

Hahaha! Bruh space the names.🤣 They are spelt properly this way, I mean in the Nigerian way. Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya

[@irishkid_G]

Jollof Rice is one of the best Nigerian dishes I’ve ever had. The only food I like with ginger in it.

[@tonyolise5926]

Bro... that's the love!!!

[@arunmkumar4433]

This guys the coolest nerd ever! ✌🏽

[@PR12fgc]

A refreshing video

[@Flornmonk]

I love the food talk

[@floridaman2331]

Perfect for a cold Christmas night 🤣🤣🤣 I just became a Israel Adesanya fan!!!!

[@LionMan98]

When you leave manual focus on.

[@SydneyD28-6]

The only thing that put me off on this video...!

[@globaltravel5218]

Interviews like these make izzy more relatable nd likeable.

[@alexkorami6679]

by whose standard...those mostly white ignoramuses who earlier said he was a Cringe?

[@808slowly]

That was awesome!! Both of you guys!

[@SirUnaiEmery]

Jon jones like aaaarrgghh

[@frankzappa951]

Nearly spat my food out lol :)

[@CYCLEGAMER1]

Dope intro!!!

[@struhol1636]

That was very good I have to say Natural great editing

[@fayemianuoluwapo1066]

Loving him even more, No forming with Izzy o, he even collected take away.

[@flatsfishingonline]

Israel and Ariel absolutely kill it. Israel is charismatic as Tyson Fury. Thanks for lighting up combat sports.

[@man.h]

Director: Stylebender do some random moves infront the espn logo. Stylebender: Say no more.

[@yuckesh]

The fact that izzy mentioned light heavyweight and the Conor Aldo reference against Costa. It literally happened lmao

[@Oscarreviewscandles]

Insane huh, rewatching he predicted all of this

[@nickc5503]

i like this as a show

[@leeb4799]

I enjoyed the music and entry during this interview at ESPN. Ariel keep up the great work. Big ups to Israel Adesanya

[@MrWilsonj7]

Let's go Israel!

[@carrieboudreau3081]

I think we forget at the end of the day Ariel is still just a fan at heart to. I love you Ariel you ask the questions we the fans wish we could thank you for that. This was a great interview really seemed more like bro's hanging out though lol.

[@kofiaugustt8732]

Nice content!!

[@em8sal]

Ariel "such a food waster" Helwani

[@RBKathletics]

Man This guy is a character

[@joshhughes8085]

32:09 “remember the name” I couldn’t if I tried mate

[@bakleejaimah8070]

😂💀

[@MeniMayer]

😂😂

[@DhillonBeats7]

One of the great nights of my life right here... ❤️

[@fugaspapa2818]

This guy is original and no fake! Bro you are the best!

[@AintFredoYou]

What an amazing place. Really happy for Ariel.

[@BlBl9419]

20:43 "you haven't even seen my ground game yet"

[@larissacastellanos4831]

I enjoyed this.

[@truthonly7794]

Ariel with the this Matzah ball soup..... 🤔 Now I gotta try it. Stamford Hill here I come

[@Pjefe1]

My favorite fighter

[@Amzyy]

Mine too behind Conor McGregor.

[@isuckatthisgame]

​@@Amzyy my top 5: izzy, max, conor, robbie, maia. i love all other fighters (including their rivals), but these are my fabulous 5. ✌️✌️

[@peacebalancetruth]

@@isuckatthisgame Mine: MAX P4P IZZY MASVIDAL TONY NUNES (IN AND OUT THE OCTAGON A TREAT🍨....With NUNES's english coming along her jokes are on point too 🔥)

[@cuttheknot4781]

He is growing on me because he is very tuned-in and observant.

[@oled4503]

8:25 - it had to come... :D

[@anthonyrojas1242]

@ 13:12 "I'M ARRIVING" 😂🤣☠️