
via Imago
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 27: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria celebrates after defeating Paulo Costa of Brazil in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

via Imago
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 27: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria celebrates after defeating Paulo Costa of Brazil in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is ready to defend his crown against a rampaging Marvin Vettori in the headliner of UFC 263. The Nigerian will look to brush aside the third challenger advancing towards his title.
In the build-up to their fight, both men have traded verbal blows on each other on social media platforms and interviews. Their antics have garnered enough build-up to make their matchup enticing for the audience.
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During the weigh-in show, Vettori appeared for an interview and talked about his matchup with Adesanya. He explained why he gets into intense mode often.
He also had few words for Adesanya before they go bonkers on each other in the ring. “I wanna eat him with my eyes when I see him.”
“I wanna look through his soul and just eat him. Like, just like, tame this motherf**ker. Like, that’s what I wanna do. I wanna eat him alive,” he said.
After Vettori’s interview got over, Adesanya appeared for his part. The Nigerian talked about how he made Vettori frustrated during their face-off (which almost made Vettori jump on Adesanya).
Adesanya then gave his response when he was made aware of Vettori’s ‘eat him alive’ comment. The champ made an amusing face and asked, “What the f*ck does that even mean? Where did he get that from, Mordor?”
READ MORE: ‘Don’t Be Scared Jonny Boy’- Francis Ngannou Responds to Jon Jones’ Comments
Israel Adesanya talks about the difference since the last fight with Vettori
Adesanya (20-1) then talked about the changes he has seen in the fighting style of Vettori since the last time he fought with him.
“Emotionally yes. Physically like, like I said, his wrestling has changed up a bit,” he told. “But I said this already, I have put on Twitter, you can see the record who he has fought and who I fought since we last fought at 185. So, yeah, there is a vast difference, a vast difference in skills.”
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via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 05: UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya of New Zealand poses for the media during the UFC seasonal press conference at T-Mobile Arena on July 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The champ further said, “There is a vast difference of opponents and ranked opponents. He couldn’t even give me three top 10 opponents he has fought.”
Well, with all said and done, the UFC 263 headliner will break a streak. Either Adesanya‘s undefeated middleweight reign will come to an end or Vettori‘s 5 fight streak will fall on the canvas.
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What according to you, is more likely to happen?
WATCH THIS STORY: Israel Adesanya’s most memorable dance moments
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