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CHALLENGER Israel Adesanya says Robert Whittaker will be under more pressure than him in tomorrow’s UFC middleweight title fight in Melbourne, but the champion has promised to drag his opponent into the trenches.

New Zealand-based Adesanya will have more than 200 supporters from his gym and plenty of other Kiws in the Docklands Stadium crowd, but suggested Whittaker would carry the burden of a nation’s hopes.

“He’s in his own country, he doesn’t want to let everyone down,” Adesanya said when asked which of them would be under greater pressure.

“Pressure is an acquired taste like caviar. He’s not going to like the way it tastes. I think it’s delicious.”

Whittaker won torrid battles against Cuban Yoel Romero in his past two bouts and doubted whether Adesanya would be able to withstand the heat he will bring.

“I’m going to drag him into the trenches, lets see if he wants to leave early,” Whittaker said.

Interim middleweight champion Adesanya boasts a 17-0 MMA record and is widely regarded as the next UFC superstar But Whittaker who is two years younger at 28, stressed he hadn’t reached his peak despite a five-year, ninefight winning streak.

“Every year I’m getting better, every year I have harder fights and I’ve got a lot of years left in me,” Whittaker said.

Adesanya hinted he had tricks in his repertoire he hadn’t yet shown that could be unveiled on Sunday.

“Let’s put it this way, I’ve seen his hand, I haven’t shown all my hand yet,” he said.

Australian Alex Volkanovski, who will challenge featherweight world champion Max Holloway in December, said he wished Whittaker well, but would be backing Adesanya who he works alongside at City Kickboxing in Auckland.

“I wish Rob Whittaker all the best. he’s a great champion, I’m still a massive fan,” Volkanovski said.