Adesanya wary of ‘Spider’s web’
Israel Adesanya has made no secret of the reverence he has for Anderson Silva.
When Adesanya was making his way in the fight game it was the Brazilian legend who he admired most, studying his style intently during Silva’s record reign over the middleweight division. And the former champion’s transformation from idol to rival has been a major theme in the build-up to today’s co-main event at UFC 234 in Melbourne.
But don’t think for a second Adesanya (15-0) will have trouble putting aside his fandom when he makes the walk to the octagon at a sold out Rod Laver Arena.
Not when there is the prospect of a shot at the middleweight title up for grabs for whoever has their hand raised.
‘‘Just because I’m a fan, doesn’t mean they can’t catch these hands,’’ the Nigerian-born Kiwi star told Submission Radio.
‘‘He’s not my friend, he’s not someone I know personally. And I’ve fought guys before that I’ve liked their styles and beaten them. So yeah, it’s not gonna be any different.’’
The show of respect has been reciprocated by Silva (34-8, 1NC) this week, perhaps even more so.
The pair met for the first time a few days ago and Silva was quick to take a snap with Adesanya for his social media accounts.
The 43-year-old almost went out of his way to praise Adesanya during the pre-fight press conference. While at yesterday’s weighin, he struggled to hold back tears as he addressed the crowd, giving the feeling he was simply happy to be back after a two-year layoff and that he may be making his last appearance.
It even seemed to shake up Adesanya and throw in the fact he starts as a heavy favourite, it has all the makings of a trap fight for ‘The Last Stylebender’.
But Adesanya has seen ‘The Spider’ lull many of his previous opponents into a false sense of security and is not about to be the next. Adesanya knows there is no way a man who held the belt for 2457 days – a UFC record for any division – will be content to simply show up.
‘‘He’s Brazilian, I’m Nigerian. We both come from that part of the world where it’s like you’ll fight tooth and nail to get what you want,’’ Adesanya said. ‘‘And he might be rich and a millionaire now, but that slumdog is still in him. And it’s in me as well.
‘‘I know I’m going to establish myself, I’m going to establish my distance straight away. The game’s already begun in a way that I can see why a lot of guys fell to him. Not me. I’ve watched him for years, so I know his games and I can implement my game.’’
Few have enjoyed such a rapid rise in the UFC as Adesanya and a win over Silva would only accelerate that. Almost a year to the day since making his octagon debut, the 29-year-old fights for the chance to earn a date with the winner of champion Robert Whittaker against Kelvin Gastelum, who feature in the main event.
Adesanya exudes X-factor inside the octagon and combined with his charismatic personality, has quickly worked out what the UFC promoters are looking for.
Eager to set up a mouthwatering trans-Tasman clash with Whittaker, Adesanya is hopeful the New Zealand-born Aussie will overcome Gastelum.
There is a mutual respect between the two but Adesanya is confident he is the man to take the division forward.
‘‘Rob, he’s a great champion. He’s the darkhorse of all champions,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s the most underrated champion in UFC history because he doesn’t play the game as well as I can. I’m talking fighting, I’m talking everything around it. But you have to realise, this all comes with it when it comes to prize fighting.’’
Adesanya is joined on the card by City Kickboxing team-mates Shane Young and Kai KaraFrance, with all three from the Auckland gym making weight yesterday. Kara-France is looking to build on last December’s impressive UFC debut when he meets Brazilian Raulian Paiva before Young squares off with American Austin Arnett.