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‘We’re Not Training for a Weight Class’- Israel Adesanya Makes a Huge Revelation About His Weight Ahead of His UFC Light Heavyweight Debut

Published 02/17/2021, 6:00 AM EST

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The UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, spoke out via Combat TV and previewed his upcoming title fight that goes down at light heavyweight. UFC 259 will see ‘The Last Stylebender’ make an attempt to capture the undisputed 205-pound championship from Jan Blachowicz. The aforementioned bout marks the first opportunity for Adesanya to become a ‘champ-champ’ in his UFC run.

Israel Adesanya last competed back in September at UFC 253, where he defended his 185-pound title against Paulo Costa. The City Kickboxing standout has been nothing short of sensational as he’s become the dominant figurehead of the middleweight division. The division lacks a clear-cut contender other than Robert Whittaker, a fight that recently played out in Adesanya’s favor.

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Israel Adesanya on moving up to the light heavyweight division

The Last Stylebender’ was asked to elaborate on his physique change ahead of his bow in a new division in the UFC. Adesanya largely looks the same, and this has led to questions regarding the training regime and overall approach he intends to follow. However, the middleweight champion revealed an interesting take that provides a look into his championship mindset.

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He said, “To be honest, there’s really nothing much that’s changed for this camp as in moving up in weight. There’s not much that’s changed, but training for the opponent. We’re not training for a weight class, we’re training for an opponent and a certain style of fighting. That’s pretty much what we’re focusing on, and that’s the sh*t as every other time.”

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‘The Last Stylebender’- Laser focus

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Adesanya believes that he’s got the natural skill set and fighting style to dethrone Blachowicz with relative ease. Additionally, the odds do play into his favor seeing how he’s an elite counterpuncher facing a bullish powerhouse. However, Jan Blachowicz is much more than a Polish freight train, and Adesanya will know that.

via Imago

Apart from packing a serious punch, Blachowicz has some of the most lethal kicks in the game that he uses as a set-up. He lulls his opponents in with a false sense of security, and it doesn’t take long for him to change gears. Israel Adesanya’s fight camp will be wary of Blachowicz’s game and are likely strategizing to effectively counter him.

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What do you make of Adesanya’s preparations for UFC 259?

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Written by:

Darryl Pinto

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Darryl Pinto is a senior MMA writer at EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his graduate degree in Mass Media (with a specialization in Journalism) out of Xavier’s College and has a year's experience in his current role. Darryl specializes in predictions, reporting, and covering UFC events live.
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