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PERTH, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 11: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria celebrates his victory over Rob Wilkinson of Australia in their middleweight bout during the UFC 221 event at Perth Arena on February 11, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 11: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria celebrates his victory over Rob Wilkinson of Australia in their middleweight bout during the UFC 221 event at Perth Arena on February 11, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest names in the world of mixed martial arts. His fluid striking, elusive kickboxing skills, and top-level takedown defenses make him one of the most formidable fighters that the UFC middleweight division has ever seen.
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For a fighter and the performer he is, fight fans want to see him take on every big name the division offers.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, he was asked a question about Khamzat Chimaev‘s statements where ‘Borz’ claimed he would “kill him.”
A calm and composed UFC middleweight champion responded, “I mean, he’s not really relevant right now. I don’t have to take him seriously till I have to take him seriously. Like his last fight, I was impressed with. I was like, yo, that guy is good, but you know there’s levels, so we’ll see how he does with Gilbert.”
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Israel Adesanya added, “He can beat a lot of middleweights. I’ll tell you that much. A lot of little top-level middleweights, but I don’t have to take him seriously till I have to take him seriously.”
As of this moment, ‘The Last Stylebender’ believes that ‘Borz’ poses no threat to his middleweight reign. However, he will have many challengers to his throne.
Israel Adesanya may fight Jared Cannonier next
Israel Adesanya has always approached the fight game with a sense of confidence of the highest level. His aura and tenacity for performance never fail to prove that he’s always at the top of his game.
After a close fight against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 271, he has gone 2-0 over the Aussie. Hence, the UFC will have to look at other names to be Adesanya’s next opponent.
Currently, Jared Cannonier is the favorite to fight ‘The Last Stylebender’. The #3 ranked middleweight beat Derek Brunson at UFC 271 and is the highest-ranked name to have not fought Adesanya.
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Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev will have to beat Gilbert Burns first and probably run riot at welterweight before he can jump the queue and become relevant for Adesanya to take him seriously at middleweight.
