Stakes raised for Kiwi fighter at UFC weekend
The stakes have officially been raised for Israel Adesanya at UFC 234 and the Kiwi sensation is not about to let his golden opportunity pass him by.
UFC president Dana White confirmed at yesterday’s pre-fight press conference that this weekend’s co-main event between Adesanya and mixed martial arts icon Anderson Silva would be for the No 1 middleweight contender position and the next shot at the title.
Silva had already been guaranteed a title fight should he get his hand raised at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne tomorrow. And while it was widely assumed that ‘The Last Stylebender’ had been offered the same incentive, it appears White took some convincing.
‘‘After [UFC] 230 I texted him straight after the fight saying I want to fight this guy and he was like ‘pump the brakes’,’’ Adesanya said. ‘‘But when we had the meeting [last November] and spoke face to face, I told him this ain’t my first rodeo.
‘‘I’ve been doing this for a long time as well. So the cat’s out of the bag and I’m about to be champion, 2019.’’
The news continues Adesanya’s meteoric rise in the world’s premier MMA organisation.
The 29-year-old Nigerian-born star has taken the middleweight division by storm over the last 12 months, winning his first four bouts to improve his overall record to 15-0 and shoot to sixth in the rankings.
Overcome Silva and it sets the stage for a dream trans-Tasman showdown against champion Robert Whittaker, should the New Zealand-born Australian defend his belt against Kelvin Gastelum in tomorrow’s headliner.
Many fans in this part of the world are already looking ahead to that potential match-up and Adesanya made no secret of his desire to meet Whittaker next up. He even listed Sydney and Brisbane as possible venues.
But he insisted there was nowhere way he was looking past Silva, a former middleweight champion who holds the record for the longest reign in UFC history and is widely regarded as the greatest of all time.
‘‘We both have big tests ahead of us,’’ Adesanya said of he and Whittaker’s respective opponents.
‘‘I’ve seen the odds this week and I was like, ‘man, ya’ll must have forgot.’ I think a lot new fans weren’t around during his reign, what it felt like. You might have come around the Ronda Rousey era or the McGregor era. You don’t realise who this guy is.
‘‘This guy inspired me to believe a skinny black guy can come in here and f... everyone up. So he brought me into this game, and it’ll be an honour to take him out of this game.’’
Adesanya is part of a strong Kiwi contingent in Melbourne, with City Kickboxing teammates Shane Young and Kai Kara-France joining him on the card.
He is heavily favoured to beat Silva (34-8, 1NC) who, at 43, is well past his prime and is making his first appearance in the octagon in two years.
But what makes this bout so intriguing is the similarity in styles.
Adesanya modelled himself on Silva as he embarked on a career in kickboxing.
And with his long limbs, fluid movement and unique striking ability, he is often compared to the Brazilian legend.
For his part, Silva cut a relaxed figure sitting on stage alongside Adesanya, Whittaker and Gastelum and lavished praise on his upcoming opponent.
But he offered a word of warning for those ready to write him off.
‘‘Israel is a great talent, he has a great future in this sport,’’ Silva said. ‘‘So I’m very lucky to come here and fight Israel on this card. It’s a good challenge for me, but I believe that it’s a big challenge for Israel.
‘‘This sport is very interesting, because one day you stay here, you win a lot and a lot of people say you’re the best,’’’ he said. ‘‘It changes fast.’’
2pm tomorrow (NZ time), Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Featuring Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva in the co-main event, Shane Young vs Austin Arnett and Kai Kara France vs Raulian Paiva
UFC 234: Whittaker vs Gastelum