Israel Adesanya doesn’t want anybody to inform him about his poor exhibiting in opposition to Sean Strickland in 2023, as a result of he remembers all of it too effectively.
After he lastly exacted revenge on Alex Pereira with a vicious knockout in April 2023, Adesanya was alleged to face Dricus du Plessis subsequent however an harm prevented the South African fighter from competing at a scheduled date in September. So Adesanya drew Strickland as a challenger as a substitute, however the matchup nearly appeared like a strategy to preserve him busy till du Plessis might get better and arrange a showdown between the heated rivals.
That’s not how issues performed out although, as Strickland scored a close to end within the first spherical then dominated nearly all of the motion over 25 minutes. Afterward, Adesanya acknowledged he wanted a while off to get better and mirror on arguably his worst exhibiting since arriving in UFC in 2018.
“Look, my final battle was atrocious for myself,” Adesanya stated throughout UFC 305 media day. “I used to be not pleased with that battle.
“Followers, the media [say] you’re solely nearly as good as your final battle. They preserve all these f*cking sayings that don’t make sense anymore. You’re solely nearly as good as your final battle? I don’t get it, however on the identical time, I’m like, OK.”
Whereas he might not agree that the sum of his elements solely comes right down to his lone battle in opposition to Strickland, Adesanya used it as gasoline to get him prepared for his comeback.
He plans on placing that on show come Saturday evening in opposition to du Plessis.
“For me, even this weekend, I form of wish to do what I’ve to do, and after I do it, then persons are going to be like, ‘F*ck, how did we not see this coming?” Adesanya stated. “How did we underestimate that he was going to do that? Wonderful.’ It’s simply time to remind individuals.”
On the subject of having dust prematurely tossed on his grave after a foul evening on the workplace, Adesanya isn’t completely unfamiliar with the idea, even when he doesn’t agree with it.
The identical factor occurred after he misplaced his middleweight title the primary time round in his preliminary UFC encounter in opposition to Pereira in 2022.
“They stated that after New York after I fought Alex Pereira,” Adesanya stated. “They have been like ‘He’s executed, he ought to pack up.’ They all the time say some dumb shit like that. However a number of these followers, they’ve by no means executed what we’ve executed.
“I don’t actually take note of that stuff. I do know what I can do. My staff is aware of what I can do. It’s simply time to indicate individuals what I can do.”
The day without work mixed with some modifications to his preparation has Adesanya feeling as assured as ever going into his battle in opposition to du Plessis.
Adesanya has downplayed the private rivalry between them within the days main as much as the battle and he’s not even placing a lot emphasis on the UFC title on the road.
Whereas these two have shared some intense moments collectively, Adesanya and du Plessis averted any undue animosity when their battle was first introduced and met on stage throughout a press convention to advertise tickets happening sale. That stated, Adesanya shared an intense second with the reigning UFC middleweight champ after they lastly got here face-to-face.
“He tried to puffer fish me and he realized fairly shortly I’m not the one you’ll be able to simply attempt to blow smoke at,” Adesanya stated. “He felt my power. He understands. He is aware of who he’s coping with now.
“That second proper there let him know. He acquired to look into my eyes and see who I’m. I don’t know what introduced it on, but it surely’s simply déjà vu. I’ve been right here earlier than. I’ve battled with the very best. Nobody can intimidate me. He undoubtedly received’t try this.”
If all goes effectively on Saturday, Adesanya is not going to solely change into a three-time UFC middleweight champion, however he might probably set himself up for a rematch in opposition to Strickland after UFC CEO Dana White named Strickland the No. 1 contender for the title.
As a lot as that loss to Strickland bugs him, Adesanya guarantees that’s the very last thing on his thoughts with a battle in opposition to du Plessis nonetheless in entrance of him.
“I’m totally different now,” Adesanya defined. “I’m not attempting to look in the direction of the longer term. I’m placing all the pieces on this battle. I’m not a man who must battle for the belt as a result of I’ve by no means executed it earlier than. ‘That is my one dream.’ No, I’m simply targeted on this battle, beat this man up after which I’ll cope with no matter comes subsequent when it comes.”
