Did you know that NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is good friends with Dana White and has a strong inclination toward UFC? Recently when Shaq appeared on ‘Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru and Henry‘, Shaq expressed the deep respect he has for combat fighters. The 4-time NBA champion shared an honest take on the sport, even going on to claim that MMA fighters can make a strong case for being the best athletic individuals on the planet.

Shaq said “I am watching all the top fighters. You guys are probably the greatest athletes ever… the way you train, the way you get hit, knocked out, knocking people out, you guys are the best athletes.” During the conversation, the hosts, Kamaru Usman, and Henry Cejudo, asked Shaq who he was following in the fight game right now.

While appreciating Usman’s “smooth” fighting style and Cejudo’s speed, he answered them, “I’m watching you [Kamaru Usman], of course. I’m watching Adesanya [and the] old boy from Phoenix [Sean O’Malley]… He’s a bad boy too. Francis [Ngannou] had a tough fight… [and] of course, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones,”

When Israel Adesanya noticed the praises showered upon him by Shaquille O’Neal, he shared a story on Instagram, which had the clip of Shaq talking about his favorite UFC fighters on the podcast and laying emphasis on the former NBA champion calling him and the others the “greatest athletes ever.”

Israel Adesanya must be happy being called one of the G.O.A.Ts in the game. However, the Nigerian-born Kiwi fighter recently talked about his former rival Alex Pereira and dubbed him an icon.

‘Izzy’ called Alex Pereira a “special fighter”

Dana White may have made one of the best decisions ever by bringing Alex Pereira to the UFC. His rivalry with Israel Adesanya is up there, without a doubt. The pair weren’t on the best terms with each other and made it evident during press conferences or on social media when they would jibe at each other. Regardless, Adesanya’s recent comments suggest that both fighters respect each other’s accomplishments.

‘Izzy’ recently emphasized the way Alex Pereira’s career has panned out and believes that he’s a one-of-a-kind fighter. He not only has respect for ‘Poatan’s achievements in his MMA career, but the way the 205-pound champion leads his life outside of the Octagon. “Honestly, he’s a special fighter,” Adesanya stated on Demetrious Johnson‘s ‘MightyCast’. “He’s a special human being. What he’s done in this game, in fighting, and for his life, as well, I’ll always respect him,” the 34-year-old added.

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There is not much left for Israel Adesanya in the middleweight division after becoming the first and only fighter to win the 185-pound title twice. Is he now looking to move to the light-heavyweight division? Recent reports suggest otherwise! ‘The Last Stylebender’ is looking to get his hands on the middleweight strap for a record third time. Hence, he is looking to secure a fight with Dricus du Plessis for the title. However, we are still waiting for a confirmation on that front.